Valmet’s solution boosts Gren Tartu’s district heating capacity in Estonia with flue gas heat recovery

Valmet has received an order from Gren Tartu for the delivery of a flue gas condenser and heat pumps to the Tartu biomass heat and power plant in Estonia. The solution will increase the amount of heat supplied to the local district heating network.

The new equipment recovers heat from the plant’s flue gas and upgrades it with heat pumps for district heating use. The solution will add more than 10 MW of additional heat supply to the district heating network. This enables the production of more district heat, using less fuel and reducing emissions.

“To satisfy the needs of our customers, increasing our heat production capacity is a key priority for us, and environmentally sustainable solutions that utilize waste heat are the most effective way to achieve the increase. We have had a long and successful cooperation with Valmet, and their experience and expertise make them a reliable partner to support us on this journey,” says Margus Raud, Head of Technical Development, Gren Tartu.

“This project is a good example of how flue gas heat recovery and heat pumps can significantly improve energy efficiency of a plant and strengthen the security of heat supply. We are pleased to support Gren Tartu with an engineered solution that captures low‑temperature heat and upgrades it for district heating use,” says Lari‑Matti Kuvaja, Director, Environmental Solutions, Valmet.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received for the second quarter of 2026. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Valmet’s efficient flue gas heat recovery solution boosts Gren Tartu’s district heating capacity in Estonia. (Photo Gren Tartu)

Improved plant efficiency and reduced fuel consumption

The delivery consists of a flue gas condenser and heat pumps for improved heat recovery at Gren Tartu’s CHP plant in Tartu, Estonia. The solution enables efficient recovery of low‑temperature heat from flue gases and upgrades it to a temperature level suitable for district heating. This improves overall plant efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and supports lower emissions.

SOURCE: VALMET