Adven’s new bio boiler house started operations in Vändra, Estonia

For a long time, a solution was sought to modernize the previous, larger boiler plant on Jannseni Street. “The old plant ran on natural gas but was temporarily switched to shale oil during the energy crisis. We had been aware of the need for a new boiler plant for years, but property-related issues delayed the process. We are happy that, thanks to cooperation with the municipality, these problems were resolved, a new location was found, and we were able to build a modern boiler plant,” explained Raivo Melsas Country Head of Adven Estonia.

The new boiler house has a capacity of 0.85 megawatts and primarily uses wood chips sourced from local suppliers. Now in operation, it improves the reliability of the district heating system and meets environmental requirements for the long term.

“The previous temporary solution relied on a single boiler, which meant that if it failed, most of Vändra would have been left without heating. Another key reason for the upgrade was environmental sustainability – both as a value and from a practical perspective. Continuing with fossil fuels would not have been viable, especially given the stricter environmental regulations coming into effect in 2030,” said Raivo Melsas.

He added, “the prices of gas and shale oil fluctuate significantly based on global market trends. In contrast, locally sourced wood chips provide a more stable and cost-effective heating solution.”

The new Turu Street boiler plant is fully automated and has a closed fuel reception system, which prevents large, unsightly wood chip piles and reduces dust.

“The most important thing is that Vändra’s district heating system now has a reliable and future-proof solution, which will also bring long-term cost savings compared to other options,” said Head of North-Pärnumaa municipality Madis Koit.

The new boiler plant provides heating for 240 apartments in Vändra, as well as the local post office, kindergarten, and municipal government building. To celebrate the opening, Adven will host an open house event in April, where residents can visit the new facility and learn more about district heating.