Various suitability studies have been carried out on the Hanasaari power plant that demonstrate the flexibility of the plant’s facilities for various different purposes. The city is also carrying out necessary financial and technical studies and soil surveys in the power plant area. Surveys of the condition of the building's foundations and other structures are still underway to boost our knowledge of the plant.
Technical surveys show that it is possible to retain and convert the Hanasaari power plant building for a new purpose. The tall and large spaces are highly flexible and in the future, the Hanasaari power plant could offer diverse and interesting activities and experiences for residents.
Take a peek into the power plant with Tuomas Uusheimo’s photos
Power plant suitable for a wide range of applications
During 2024, the city has envisioned the future of the power plant together with residents, stakeholders and actors in the area. This visioning process was set up to find out what residents and stakeholders think about the power plant and to come up with an idea of what the power plant could offer to the residents of the area and, more broadly, to all residents of Helsinki.
The visioning process crystallised the possibilities of the plant as a ‘magnetic building’ that serves residents, as well as an attractive site that could also entice international visitors. As a result of the participatory development process, a great deal of ideas and hopes were collected for the development of the power plant facility and the surrounding outdoor areas. Global megatrends were also examined in the process. Based on the results, we created three scenarios that support the development of the power plant.
The city has also worked with educational institutions regarding the Hanasaari power plant. In the spring of 2024, ‘Advanced Building Design Studio’, a joint course held with Aalto University’s Department of Architecture, allowed master's level students to study the development of the power plant for use in the circular economy, in culture, as a museum, or for sports. Laurea University of Applied Sciences held the ‘Urban Design by Spatial Psychology’ course for international student teams to explore the identity of the area and come up with prototypes that could help open up the area to residents. The students' work have highlighted various important themes in the development of the power plant and the area.
The city is preparing a competition for the future use of the power plant and is also studying the possibilities for temporary use.
Evolving environment at Hanasaari – new homes and services
A new residential area for 4,500 residents is being planned at the southern tip of Hanasaari. The area is set to include residential blocks, brick-and-mortar shops, green areas and a canal. The intention is to open the shore side to residents, with plans for a cycling route and floating structures. Bridges will connect the area to the surrounding districts.
The Hanasaari power plant is located near the centre, at the intersection of the old and the new. Suvilahti and Kallio are known for their events and lively cultural activities. The strongly growing areas of Kalasatama, Sompasaari and Nihti lie to the east of the power plant. On the north side, you can find Teurastamo and Tukkutori, and a new residential area is being built in Verkkosaari. In 2037, 34,000 residents are projected to live in the area. Business activity is also growing strongly, and 11,000 new jobs are expected to emerge in the region.
Frequently asked questions
The city aims to preserve the power plant, but a decision to preserve it has not been made. The city is studying the possibility of preserving the power plant as part of its future plans for the area, taking the challenging technical conditions in the area into account.
The power plant ceased operations in spring 2023. Some auxiliary buildings and process equipment from inside the plant are being demolished. The plant itself will not be dismantled. The power plant building, the staff building beside it, as well as key parts of the plant's process equipment will be preserved. Helen, the city and the City Museum have determined what to preserve together, based on the building history survey of the power plant.
According to current estimates, the demolition works will last until summer 2025. Helen Oy is responsible for the demolition work.
The Hanasaari power plant is one of the primary works of architect Timo Penttilä. It is valued as architecturally and cultural-historically significant. The Helsinki City Museum has proposed that the staff building and some parts of the power plant for protection.
The future use of the power plant has not been resolved. The city will commission additional financial and technical studies aimed at verifying whether the power plant building can be preserved as part of the further development of the area. If it proves possible to reuse the power plant, a competition will be held on its future use.
The form of the competition, restrictions for the competition area and the timetable are currently under consideration. Details can be expected to be publicised in 2025.
Yes. In 2024, residents and stakeholders were invited to participate in the visionary process for the plant. The possibilities for resident participation will be planned as part of the overall power plant project.