AYY’s housing to use fossil-free energy from 2020 onwards
During 2020, AYY’s student housing and other properties will completely switch to fossil-free electricity and district heating. The reason for the switch is AYY’s strategy, which encourages the Student Union to lead the way in environmental issues. This change means significant steps towards greener student housing and a carbon-neutral student union.
“The carbon footprint of energy use in AYY housing makes up a significant part of AYY’s total carbon footprint. The decision to switch to fossil-free energy options is self-evident in accordance with our strategy”, says Olli Kesseli, Chair of AYY Board. By choosing the eco-friendlier options for electricity and heating already available on the market, AYY promotes the urgent need for greater use of fossil-free and carbon-neutral energy.
As regards to district heating, AYY’s Espoo properties have switched to Fortum’s EkoPlus district heating in early 2020. In Espoo properties, district heat is produced with heat from wastewater, waste heat from data centres and pellets – probably also with geothermal heat in the future. From the beginning of the year, district heating in Helsinki properties has been produced with waste heat from wastewater as part of Helen’s renewable district heat system, which has a specific C02-emission of 0 g/kWh.
Purchased electricity for AYY’s Espoo properties has been produced by hydropower for a long period of time, and electricity will continue to be carbon-neutral in the future. Purchased electricity for Helsinki properties are currently being tendered according to the same principles. Thus, Helsinki properties will also switch to carbon-neutral electricity as soon as possible.
Further information
Read more news
Applications are open for Team Manta 2027
Do you see yourself crowning the Havis Amanda statue next year while nearly a hundred thousand people are cheering on Esplanadi Avenue and in the Market Square? This is your opportunity—applications for Team Manta 2027 are open from 23 Mar to 10 Apr 2026.
Faith in the future requires structures and communities
For the Students’ Mental Health Week, AYY Board Member Kerttu Peura writes about faith in the future in a blog post.
AYY’s art collection exhibition Scattered on display at the Museum of Student Life
At the end of 2025, Aalto University Student Union (AYY) expanded its art collection through a call for artworks. The collection, consisting of works by AYY members, is on display at the Museum of Student Life exhibition during the spring.