Pälli
Pälli is a hydroelectric power plant located in the municipality of Muhos. It was designed by Aarne Ervi and commissioned in the summer of 1953.
History
Pälli was the third power plant built by Oulujoki Power Company. Construction started early in 1950. Preliminary works had carried out the year before. Sets of machinery were ordered from Finland, the turbines from Tampella and generators from Strömberg. Pyhäkoski could be used as a ”home base” which meant that large facilities for the builders didn´t need to be built in Pälli.[1]
Conditions for implementing large-scale building projects were getting better compared to the years right after the war. Construction and design procedures learned from the projects in Pyhäkoski and Jylhämä also helped.[2]
Most of the earthmoving and concrete works were finished during 1950. The biggest job was digging the tailrace that was over 300 meters long. Things moved quickly because more and more machines were available and the workforce was more experienced. The river could be released through the flood gates in the following winter, after which the last concrete works for the dam were completed. At the end of 1952, the reservoir was filled up to its maximum capacity.[3]
The first set of machinery was connected to the power grid on 20 July 1953 and the second one at the end of that year. The third set of machinery was connected to the grid in the summer of 1954. Special features of the power house include a butterfly roof and insulated precast panel for the facades. This kind of technology was new in Finland.
[1] Mauri Kuuskoski, Pekka Salminen, Jouko Vahtola, Paavo Vasala. Vesivoimaa Oulujoesta 50 vuotta: sähkölla eteenpäin. Oulu: Oulujoki Oy, 1991, 3
[2] Matti Enbuske. Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ympäristöhistoria. Oulu: Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ELY-keskus ympäristö ja luonnonvarat -vastuualue, 2010, 317
[3] Ibid, 318
Technical information
Owner: Fortum Power and Heat
Built: 1949-1954
Designer: Aarne Ervi, architect
Capacity: 51 MW, head 14 m
Power house: In-situ concrete frame, facades made with precast panels
Special features: Butterfly roof and insulate precast panels
Protection status: Classified as RKY (Nationally significant built cultural environment – RKY 2009: Hydropower plants on the River Oulujoki and Sotkamo Route), district plan, Docomomo site[4]
[4] Veli-Pekka Huhmo. Oulujoen vesistön voimalaitosarkkitehtuuria. Oulu: Humanpolis Oy, 2017, 77
Residential area
Pälli has a medium sized residential area that has wooden attached homes.
Images
All pictures below are part of the power plant's history. All images are copyrighted. You may use the images for personal use but the images may not be used in commercial contexts or printed matter without our permission. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Stories
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Visitor information
Below you can read about everything you need to know before a possible visit to the power plant. When it is best to visit the power plant, how to find here and about the rules that apply in the area.
