New hospital in Helsinki aims for groundbreaking geothermal heat source

If all goes well, a new hospital being constructed in Helsinki may source heat from deeper underground than any other building in Finland. If successful, this initiative could pave the way for utilizing a crucial and low-emission heat source. “That would be excellent. I wish the project good luck and success,” commented Ilmo Kukkonen, an emeritus professor at the University of Helsinki.

The Laakso Joint Hospital, located just a stone’s throw from the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, plans to draw heat from over three kilometers deep through possibly three geothermal wells. The Korean drilling company Hanjin D&B is set to bore a deep well of 3,000 to 3,500 meters at a cost of 5.9 million euros, with an option for an additional two wells for 8.6 million euros, excluding VAT.

Constructing such deep wells poses unique challenges, as the depths would exceed the current deepest geothermal wells in Finland. Previously, efforts by Finnish companies, including a significant project by St1 aimed at producing 10% of Espoo’s district heating using wells up to seven kilometers deep, met with difficulties and ultimately fell short.

In Tampere, a joint pilot project by 15 energy companies aimed for wells extending to seven kilometers but only achieved about two kilometers after spending around 1.5 million euros. Hanjin D&B remains the only viable candidate for this ambitious project.

Emeritus Professor Kukkonen recognizes the potential of drilling to three kilometers, noting that while Finnish bedrock can complicate such endeavors, with the right equipment and preparation, it is feasible. The Laakso project is a collaborative effort, involving the City of Helsinki, the HUS healthcare district, and construction company SRV.