Heat Pump Plant for the Pått Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vaasa
- Assignment: Construction of an industrial building for a heat pump plant, including HVAC work
- Client: Vaasan Sähkö (Vasa Electric)
- Project Type: Industrial, heat pump plant
- Size: 500 m²
- Contract Type: Building contract including building services engineering
- Plant Capacity: 12 MW
- Annual Energy Production: 50–60 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of heat per year
- City, Country: Vaasa, Finland
- Status: Completed
- Year of Completion: 2023
A new high-tech heat pump plant has been commissioned at the Pått wastewater treatment plant. Vaasan Sähkö contracted Jake to construct a new industrial building for the facility adjacent to the treatment plant in the Brändö district of Vaasa. There, waste heat from treated wastewater is recovered using two heat pumps and transferred to the district heating network.
The heat pump plant is an excellent example of energy efficiency and circular economy principles in the energy and process industries. By capturing waste heat from treated wastewater and transferring it to the district heating network, the facility now produces heat for thousands of homes in Vaasa.
The project involved advanced technical processes and the coordination of numerous subcontractors. In addition to being technically demanding, the schedule was tight. Vaasan Sähkö needed a reliable and solution-oriented partner to deliver the industrial building and chose Jake for the assignment.
Active and Solution-Oriented Collaboration from Day One
From the very first discussions, Jake demonstrated the qualities that Vaasan Sähkö values most when procuring construction services: reliability, cost efficiency, and strong collaboration. The complex industrial environment placed high demands on the building’s functionality and its integration with the technical process.
“Jake is a highly solution-oriented partner that actively seeks effective alternatives and works to fulfill the client’s requirements,” says Juha-Matti Karvala, Project Manager at Vaasan Sähkö.
Jake’s proactive approach and willingness to solve problems in close cooperation with the client proved critical throughout the project. Industrial processes often present unexpected challenges, and Karvala confirms that Jake successfully kept the project moving forward despite shortcomings in the original drawings and plans.
According to Karvala, one of Jake’s key strengths is its deeper understanding of the underlying industrial processes and energy production systems. He specifically highlights the heat pump expertise within Jake’s organization.
“They have genuine understanding and expertise not only in construction, but also in energy production and industrial processes,” says Karvala.
A Successful Project with a Positive Working Atmosphere
Following an extensive testing and commissioning period toward the end of the year, regular district heating production began in December 2023. Despite the challenges encountered along the way and the demanding coordination required between construction and technical installations, the project progressed very successfully.
For Vaasan Sähkö, the collaboration with Jake has been a positive experience. Open and honest communication laid the foundation for a successful outcome that today creates direct value for both the company and the residents of Vaasa.
