Power plants and production

Power plants and production

Kemijoki Oy has nearly 70-year experience in the building, use, maintenance and capacity increases of hydropower plants. We own 20 hydropower plants in total, 16 of which are located at the Kemijoki watercourse area. In addition, we also have two power plants at River Lieksanjoki and two at River Kymijoki. We also regulate the storage reservoirs in Lokka and Porttipahta as well as Lake Kemijärvi and Lake Olkkajärvi.

In 2021, we produced a total of 5,231 GWh of electricity. The total output of our power plants is over 1,100 MW. The river’s natural conditions during different seasons of the year are the most important factor affecting the planning of hydropower production. In addition to the natural conditions, the planning involves taking account of the consumption of energy and the many users of the river, for example bobbers, fishermen and boaters.

The hydropower plants in the drainage area of River Kemijoki are mainly located on River Kemijoki and River Kitinen. The term drainage area refers to the area from which rain water drains into River Kemijoki and finally into the Gulf of Bothnia. Therefore, it is natural that the largest power plants measured by the volume of water are located on the section of Kemijoki’s main river bed below Rovaniemi. The seven power plants at Kemijoki’s main river bed are among the 10 largest hydropower plants in Finland.

In recent years, we have invested in increases of the hydropower plants’ capacity. The capacity increases improve the efficiency and permeability of the turbines, which also increases the maximum power. As a result of the increased efficiency, more energy can be produced from the same amount of water outside flood season. Increased permeability results in more energy during flood seasons, and the need for diversion is reduced. In addition, oil will be replaced with water as a lubricant for the runner hubs of the turbines, reducing the risk of oil spills significantly.

The first power plant built by Kemijoki Oy, Petäjäskoski, is currently the second largest hydropower plant in Finland. It was built in 1957. The newest power plant, Kelukoski power plant, was built in 2001.

Power plant Build in head m output nominal value MW Annual energy (net) GWh (average water) The average flow rate (MQ) M3/S discharge m3/s
Kemijoki watercourse area
Lokka 1967 7.0-12.0 0.1 0.5 3 2
Porttipahta 1979-81 30.0 40.5 102.4 51 180
Kurittukoski 1985-87 11.0 15 42 54 160
Vajukoski 1982-84 16.0 21 69.4 63 160
Matarakoski 1993-95 7.0 11 31.3 68 180
Kelukoski 1999-01 7.0 11 38.1 80 180
Kurkiaska 1990-92 12.5 27 83.1 103 260
Kokkosniva 1987-90 11.5 27 80.1 108 260
Seitakorva 1958-63 17.0-24.0 144 511 311 700
Pirttikoski 1956-59 26.0 152 581 315 700
Vanttauskoski 1967-72 22.0 95 447.5 328 650
Permantokoski 1960-61 24.0 13 50.5 39 67
Valajaskoski 1957-60 11.5 101 365.2 512 1050
Petäjäskoski 1953-57 20.5 182 687 526 1050
Ossauskoski 1961-65 15.0 124 501 538 1080
Taivalkoski 1972-76 14.5 134.1 540,7 552 1110
Total 1098 4131
Lieksanjoki power plants
Pankakoski 1964 10.2 15.6 68.3 96 150
Lieksankoski 1960 11.4 18 78.8 96 150
Yhteensä 34 147
Kymijoki power plants
Anjalankoski 1983 9.7 20 130 300 225
Inkeroinen 1922,1994 9.7 17 80 300 210
Total     37 210  
ALL IN TOTAL 1168 4488