Valmet's Automation Powers Helsinki Closer to a Clean-Energy Transition With the World's Largest Air-to-Water Heat Pump

­Valmet will supply an automation system for Helen Ltd’s Patola air-to-water heat pump plant and two electric boilers currently being built in Helsinki, Finland. When completed, the air-to-water heat pump plant will be the largest in the world with a full heating production capacity around 30 MW. The mission-critical Valmet Distributed Control System (DCS) enables flexible and efficient heat production, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions and bringing Helsinki, the capital of Finland, closer to a clean-energy transition. The system’s precise control of heat pumps and electric boilers also ensures stable heating prices for customers.

”This project strengthens our long-term energy strategy by reinforcing operational performance and helping us deliver reliable, sustainable district heating to our customers far into the future. The Valmet DCS supports a clean-energy transition, enables flexible production, and optimizes the operation of both the heat pump plant and electric boilers for maximum efficiency and responsiveness to heat demand,” says Jari Maaranen, Engineering Manager at Helen Ltd. 

”We are proud to deliver the Valmet DCS to our trusted customer Helen, enabling advanced control and monitoring for their electric boilers and large-scale air-to-water heat pump plant - the first of its kind and scale worldwide. This delivery ensures unmatched reliability, efficiency, and scalability. It also supports long-term operational success and lifecycle performance while showcasing how cutting-edge technology can support carbon-neutral energy solutions,” says Tom Bäckman, Senior Sales Manager, Automation Solutions business area, Valmet.

The Patola heating plant will enhance low-emission district heat with a new industrial-scale air-to-water heat pump (~30MW) and two 50 MW electric boilers. Using outdoor air as its heat source and CO₂ as the refrigerant, the heat pump operates efficiently even at -20°C. Together, they will generate over 500 GWh of heat annually, reducing emissions by more than 56,000 tonnes. Production is scheduled to begin in the 2026-2027 heating season.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2025. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The delivery will be taken over by the customer in March 2027.