SBB makes Tampere’s media hub greener

SBB, which is growing steadily in Finland, combines energy efficiency improvements with a reduction in the repair debt. Now it’s time for the energy renovation of Mediapolis in Tampere.

“Our goal is to reduce emissions across the portfolio one step at a time. No single action will solve the emissions targets, even if it is significant on a property-by-property basis, such as this energy renovation in Tohlopinranta. However, each project is important in achieving the overall target,” says Marko Määttä, Project and Development Director at SBB.

In 2019, SBB (Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden) acquired a property in Tohlop, Tampere, with Yle as one of the main tenants. It is, for example, where the well-known Little Two is made. Together with experts from energy efficiency company LeaseGreen, Määttä went through various possibilities and ways to reduce the renovation debt of the property, while at the same time reducing energy consumption, emissions and carbon footprint.

“We looked at the property and found the best options for the client’s situation. It was easy to discuss them together and choose the ones to go with,” says Jaakko Sell , Account Manager at LeaseGreen.

Mediapolis faces the challenge of significant heating and electricity consumption and accumulated repair debt, which is typical of properties built in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Even buildings of this age can be made modern and energy efficient. It just takes experience and the right skills,” says Sell.

The majority of the air conditioners in Mediapolis were at the end of their life cycle. It was therefore natural to start with them. The return on investment in modernising the ventilation system is calculated to be as high as 12-14%. At the same time, the carbon footprint of the building is reduced by 187 tonnes of carbon per year, the ventilation repair debt is reduced and the indoor environment is improved.

“The energy renovation of Mediapolis is a large and challenging project, as the building has several different age groups, which also differ from each other in terms of energy efficiency,” says Marko Määttä of SBB.

“Climate drives the actions of every responsible person and business today. Reducing emissions in Mediapolis is a concern for all users of the property – and of course for us as owners. Profitability is improved through energy savings.”

The plans also take into account the planned expansion project at Mediapolis, which will include state-of-the-art film technology and a studio. The Mediapolis area is set to become a major international hub for audiovisual business, production and expertise.

Mediapolis is a good example of the fact that energy efficiency should not be developed in isolation from the other development of the property and the other business objectives of the property owners,” says Jaakko Sell of LeaseGreen.

“Real estate investors are looking to develop and improve their portfolios, and the energy angle is becoming more and more important. For example, there is a lot of untapped potential in the energy efficiency of social real estate. Our expertise is to help identify the potential and tell them what savings can be achieved, in what timeframe and with what measures.”

SBB is the largest owner of public real estate in the Nordic countries. It currently owns nearly 200 properties in Finland, in more than 90 locations. The total value of SBB’s real estate holdings in Finland is around EUR 1 billion.

Further information

Project and Development Director Marko Määttä, Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB
+358 40 356 8520
marko.maatta@sbbnorden.fi

Jaakko Sell, Account Director, LeaseGreen
+358 41 527 3644
jaakko.sell@leasegreen.com