Messukeskus Helsinki counts on solar energy – hall roofs covered with solar panels in summer 2019
Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre continues to develop its responsibility strategy by reducing energy consumption, using more renewable energy and paying attention to making environmentally responsible acquisitions. In summer 2019, one of the largest solar power plants in Finland is to be built on the roofs of Messukeskus.
Messukeskus will use more renewable energy and reduce its energy consumption by covering the roofs of its buildings with 1,600 solar panels, which will generate approximately 445 MWh of energy annually. The production of the plant equals the annual consumption of more than two hundred one-bedroom apartments.
“Our solar power plant will be one of the largest in Finland, and it will enable us to increase significantly our share of renewable energy and reduce our energy consumption, as the shading effect of the solar panels will reduce the demand for cooling in the summer. Our objective is to install more solar panels at a later date”, says Paula Blomster, Congress Manager at Messukeskus.
Climate goals announced
Last year, Messukeskus became the only Finnish event organiser to be granted an ISO14001-2015 environmental management certificate as well as an ISO9001-2015 management system certificate. Messukeskus also joined the Climate Partners’ network of the City of Helsinki and the business sector. The network aims to make the city carbon-neutral by 2035.
The climate goals were encapsulated in three main points: Messukeskus will reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent by 2025, will substantially increase the share of renewable energy, such as by making use of solar power, and Messukeskus will develop the procurements to be even more environmentally responsible and continue to make efficient use of wastes. Messukeskus already recycles and further utilizes 99% of its waste.
“In spring 2019, we have been implementing the ISO 20121 certification within the strategic framework together with a client as the first venue in Finland to improve sustainability standards. The client is the European Association for International Association (EAIE), which will bring 5,000 professionals for its annual conference to Messukeskus in September 2019. ISO 20121 is the only sustainability standard within the events industry, and focuses on creating a culture around sustainability including the social, economic and environmental impact”, says Paula Blomster.
Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre promotes Finnish trade and industry by enabling productive face-to-face contacts at trade shows, conventions, conferences and other events. 65 exhibitions and 1,500 meetings, congresses and galas are held annually at Messukeskus, with more than a million participants. Messukeskus Helsinki celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019.
Meet us at IMEX 2019 exhibition, at Finland's stand F250.
Further information: Congress Manager Paula Blomster, mobile: +358 40 456 6066, paula.blomster@messukeskus.com, www.messukeskus.com/b2b, #messukeskusHki.
Photos from our mediabank: https://mediabank.messukeskus.com
