Pellet Karelia
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to increase the small-scale use of wood pellets in heating households, significantly reducing the use of heating oil thereby. Another objective was to initiate pellet heating and production in the Republic of Karelia.

Main activities

• Advising consumers using different types of events, direct contact visits, and telephone advisory services • Organisation of various theme events in Finland and Russia • Arrangement of training events regarding pellet heating • Arranging a contact-making trip to Petrozavodsk • Launching of a website in Finnish and Russian • Arrangement of certification training for pellet installers in Finland.

Achievements

An actual renewable information point was not implemented in the project. Instead, the project focused on developing the business activities in the industry. In lieu of an information point, consumers were advised using different types of events, direct contact visits, and telephone advisory services. The various theme events organised by the project both in Finland and Russia offered both consumer information and good opportunities for companies that manufacture pellet heating equipment to market their products and services. There was a total of 372 participants at the events. The project arranged training events regarding pellet heating for entrepreneurs, offered information regarding the current situation of pellet production in Petrozavodsk, provided information regarding pellet industry business contacts and production cooperation opportunities, and organised a contact-making trip to Petrozavodsk. The project launched a website at www.pellettikarelia.fi in Finnish and Russian. The project offered advisory services with regard to the pellet business industry, and pellet and bionergy heating to 65 sites. Of these, 25 were commercial sites. Twelve of the advised sites selected pellet heating. Pellet production in Russia was started at two locations near Petrozavodsk during the project. In addition, one production facility was opened immediately after the project. The use of pellets for heating was tested during the project at the first site in Petrozavodsk, using a burner designed and manufactured by a project partner. During the project, education in the pellet industry gained a foothold through a specialty training programme started at the Petrozavodsk Technical Vocational Institute in 2007. The material and pellet bulletin used in the seminar of the project was translated into Russian for the school. A separate project was planned to be implemented by The State Committee of the Republic of Karelia on Reforming of Housing and Communal Services regarding special training intended for entrepreneurs and facility managers of the industry. The training would develop the ability of entrepreneurs and other professionals to utilise bioenergy. Certification training for pellet installers was developed in Finland during the project.