KFS Finland is carrying out work for Vattenfall to reinforce Dam 7 at the Pamilo hydroelectric power plant in North Karelia. This is a challenging infrastructure construction project that combines dam safety, the operational reliability of critical energy infrastructure, and a high level of technical expertise in specialized foundation engineering. The agreement is valued at approximately 11 million euros.
Pamilo is Vattenfall’s largest hydroelectric power plant in Finland, and the project to reinforce Dam 7 is an important investment in dam safety and the long-term functionality of the structures. In the project carried out by KFS Finland, a watertight cutoff structure will be built inside the dam using bored piles with pile caps. This is an exceptionally challenging project, as the work is being carried out at an operational hydroelectric power plant and on Pamilo’s highest dam section.
According to the plans, the pile structure will be approximately 400 meters long and up to 32 meters high, with a total area of approximately 10,500 square meters. Implementation requires careful phasing, consideration of uninterrupted energy production, and careful management of environmental impacts throughout the project.
–This project represents foundation engineering at its most challenging. The project requires in-depth geotechnical expertise, specialized equipment, precise coordination of work phases, and methods that ensure structural safety without unnecessarily impacting plant operations or the surrounding environment, says Henri Heikkilä, Construction Manager at KFS Finland.
The goal of the investment is to improve the long-term safety of the dam and ensure the long service life of the power plant and dam structures. The implementation will utilize methods and procedures appropriate to the project, ensuring that the demanding repair work can be carried out in a controlled and safe manner.
–Dam safety is the foundation of Vattenfall’s hydropower operations. This renovation project is a concrete example of that. The purpose of the solution is to improve the long-term safety of the dam and ensure the long service life of the power plant and dam structures. The project draws on best practices in the field, says Tomi Jokiranta, Project Manager at Vattenfall.
Technically challenging project requires precise execution
Dam reinforcement is a specialized field of engineering in which design, construction, quality assurance, and dam safety must work together seamlessly. KFS Finland’s strength in such projects is rooted in its experience with complex foundation structures, in-depth geotechnical expertise, and the ability to implement technically challenging solutions at sites where safety and controlled progress are top priorities.
–The Pamilo project is a good example of a site where the success of specialized foundation work depends on both technical expertise and careful management of the implementation process. In environments like these, every step of the process must be carefully planned, and quality assurance must be exceptionally robust, Heikkilä notes.
KFS Finland will begin preparatory work in the summer of 2026, with construction scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026. The goal is to complete the project during 2027.
From left: Tomi Jokiranta Vattenfall Oy, Talvikki Andersson Vattenfall Oy, Iiro Rinta-Jouppi Vattenfall Oy, Tommi Hakanen KFS Finland, Henri Heikkilä KFS Finland.