Göteborg Energi secures renewable district heating with Valmet’s bio-steam boiler

Crucial to achieving the publicly communicated target is the new biofuel-fired steam boiler that has been built in record time in the Rya area in Gothenburg in Sweden. The boiler will be integrated with the existing Rya CHP plant, and it will deliver 156 megawatts of heat and 39 megawatts of electricity to the city’s energy system. The boiler was delivered by Valmet. 

“I am both proud and happy that we are now delivering fully recovered and renewable district heating to the city of Gothenburg, and that we are no longer dependent on fossil natural gas. This provides greater security in our deliveries and strengthens the city’s energy preparedness while being also an important factor improving our environmental performance,” says Per-Anders Gustafsson, CEO of Göteborg Energi.

Largest climate investment

The new boiler is Göteborg Energi's largest climate investment ever. The boiler started up in November 2025 and has since been part of the company’s regular district heating production.

Under normal operating conditions, district heating is produced from recovered heat from the city’s refineries and waste incineration. When it gets colder during the winter months, various additional biofuel-fired production plants are started up.

“By using recycled wood and forest waste as fuel instead of gas, our fossil carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about 30,000–150,000 tonnes per year compared to historical levels. The exact reduction will vary depending on weather conditions and other factors,” says Per-Anders Gustafsson.

Seamless cooperation during the project

Valmet’s delivery included delivering a Valmet BFB Boiler plant based on bubbling fluidized bed technology, complemented by flue gas cleaning and condensing systems. The delivery also covered the boiler building and piping to connect to the existing steam turbine. To ensure long-term reliability and efficiency, Valmet will continue to provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services, supported by digital services for optimized and sustainable production throughout the plant lifecycle.

Despite a tight schedule, the project was completed on time, thanks to exceptional collaboration and a proactive approach to solving challenges. The strong partnership between Göteborg Energi and Valmet was the key to reaching all milestones successfully.

“We at Valmet are proud to support Göteborg Energi in achieving its decarbonization targets and advancing toward cleaner energy production. With a strong presence in Sweden, Valmet is committed to being a trusted partner for Göteborg Energi throughout the entire plant lifecycle,” says Niina Ollikka, Vice President, Boilers and Gasifier Solutions at Valmet.