Valmet has announced it will modernize the automation system at KSS Energia’s Verla 2 hydropower plant in Kouvola, Finland. The upgrade will replace an outdated third-party system with the Valmet DNA Hydro Turbine Automation, aiming to improve operational reliability.
The project was recorded in Valmet’s fourth-quarter 2024 orders. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The new system is scheduled to be operational by December 2025.
“We have developed a long-term partnership with Valmet across our other hydropower plants. As Valmet has successfully retrofitted hydro turbine automation with Valmet DNA at our Siikakoski hydropower plant, we aimed to implement a similar solution for the Verla plant, too. A unified automation system across all sites, including engineering tools and data collection, ensures that only one system requires future upgrades,” said Jukka Rämä, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, KSS Energia.
“This hydro turbine automation delivery marks another significant step for Valmet in strengthening its position in Finland’s hydropower market. The previous projects between KSS Energia and Valmet have been highly successful, and the new case is expected to be another valuable step in our cooperation,” added Tom Bäckman, Sales Manager, Automation Systems business line, Valmet.
The Verla hydropower plant, originally built to support the local wood processing industry, consists of two units, Verla 1 and Verla 2. It generates approximately 15,000MWh of electricity annually, enough to power about 3,000 average households.
The Valmet DNA Hydro Turbine Automation system will be connected to the Hinkismäki power station. All KSS Energia hydropower plants are centrally operated from a control room managed by Norwegian technology supplier Volue.
