Substantial energy savings through the renewal of field lighting at South Harbour and Katajanokka Harbour

In harbour fields, the significance of lighting in terms of occupational safety is also emphasised.

Replacing port field lighting with energy-efficient LED lights is under way in South Harbour and Katajanokka. In the future, this will generate considerable energy savings.

Old discharge lamps have been replaced with LED lights in light masts, the undersides of passenger corridors and canopies on buildings in South Harbour and Katajanokka. Replacing more than 300 light bulbs in one go was a time-consuming effort, but the benefits speak volumes.

The area lighting in West Harbour and Vuosaari Harbour was already replaced with LED lights earlier, meaning that all areas in the port are now illuminated by using LED lights.

Efficiency, sustainability and improved safety at work

“Lighting technology and lighting control have developed significantly over the years, and most of the traditional lamps have been replaced with modern LEDs at the Port of Helsinki, as well,” says electrical engineer Kai Koskinen from the Port of Helsinki.


There are many benefits. LED lights are an energy-efficient alternative, and they have excellent lighting power. Compared to traditional bulbs, they need a much lower amount of electricity to produce the same lighting power.

“Less electricity is consumed, which also saves in costs. The overhaul of the lighting of the South Harbour and Katajanokka Harbour areas is estimated to save roughly 300 Mwh per year, which corresponds to the amount of electricity needed for heating more than one hundred single-family houses for a year.”

The basic premise of the green transition is that energy consumption is reduced to a minimum. In addition to this, how the energy used is produced and what types of emissions it generates are among key issues. The same principles apply at the Port of Helsinki: we want to reduce consumption even though the Port has already acquired its electricity from carbon-free sources since 2020.

LEDs are also durable. They have a service life of up to 10 times longer than e.g. halogen lamps. The interval between changing light bulbs is important, especially as bulbs at the Port of Helsinki are located 30 metres up in light masts.

In harbour fields, the significance of lighting in terms of occupational safety is also emphasised. LED lights will produce improved colour reproduction, less glare and a more balanced light distribution. They are characteristics that can improve visibility and prevent injuries and damage.

Better controllability

In addition to changing light bulbs, the lighting control system in South Harbour, Katajanokka and West Harbour was also renewed.

The new control system makes it possible to adjust the brightness and use colour temperatures, for example.

“The final adjustments are still being made, but the work will be finished in the autumn. Thanks to the system, we were able to achieve more balanced overall lighting in the harbour fields, and we are now able to control lighting power by each specific individual fixture,” Koskinen says.