Leilimaan Portti targets BREEAM Outstanding with geothermal and solar energy

BREEAM guided the delivery of a new production and logistics hub in Finland. The building uses 71.5% less primary energy than the regulatory reference level, combining geothermal heating with rooftop solar power.

Overview

Kiinteistö Oy Leilimaan Portti is a new 15,149 sqm production and logistics facility in Raisio, Finland. The project is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating. Its calculated primary energy consumption is 71.5% lower than the regulatory reference level, and geothermal energy covers around 75% of its heating demand. The building achieved nine BREEAM energy performance credits. Its energy strategy combines renewables, heat recovery and a highly airtight envelope.

About

TKU-Rakennus Oy developed the facility as ABB Marine and Ports’ main site in the Turku region. Logian (Mrec Investment Management Oy) will own the completed property. It uses BREEAM across its portfolio to meet its environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. The brief set four targets: an A energy rating, geothermal heating, a 240kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system and a high BREEAM rating.

Background

The building brings production, warehousing, offices and employee facilities together under one roof. Its flexible premises are designed to accommodate the tenant’s future growth.

The project introduced geothermal heating, a 240kWp rooftop photovoltaic system, efficient heat recovery and comprehensive energy monitoring with intelligent building controls. Water-efficient fittings, electric vehicle charging, secure cycle parking and ecologist-led landscaping complete the design. The project also included measures to support alignment with the EU Taxonomy.

Challenges

The main challenge was reducing the energy demand of a large, fully heated production and warehouse building. The team needed to do this while keeping indoor conditions comfortable for the people working there.

BREEAM was not part of ABB’s original requirements. Logian introduced it to the project. The team then took a holistic approach rather than tackling environmental topics in isolation. A dedicated coordinator managed the certification process and documentation throughout.

Solutions

Management

BREEAM provided a structured framework for managing sustainability and quality objectives through design and construction. Its performance criteria helped the team make technical decisions, such as sizing the ground-source heat pump system.

The certification process supported systematic monitoring of sustainability targets and environmental impacts. Thermographic surveys and acoustic testing, including reverberation times and sound levels, help confirm the building performs as intended at handover. Post-occupancy monitoring will verify that systems continue to operate effectively.

Health and wellbeing

An acoustic consultant guided the design of suitable acoustic conditions. Glare control, lighting and occupant controls support comfortable working conditions. An indoor air quality plan and low-emission building products minimise indoor pollutants, and testing before occupation verified the completed environment. Inclusive design and access to fresh drinking water create a safe, healthy and accessible workplace.

Energy

Energy was the project’s strongest category. The building achieved nine BREEAM energy performance credits, with an Energy Performance Ratio (EPR) of 0.92.

A geothermal system covers around 75% of the total heating demand, while the 240kWp rooftop photovoltaic system generates renewable electricity on site. Efficient heat recovery and a highly airtight envelope further reduce demand.

These measures cut calculated primary energy consumption by 71.5% against the regulatory reference level. The operational-stage E-value is 41kWh/m²/year, compared with 144kWh/m²/year for the reference building.

Water

Water-efficient fittings were installed to reduce consumption across production, office and employee areas.

Materials

A life cycle assessment evaluated the building’s embodied carbon and informed decisions throughout the project. Workshops with the wider project team promoted material efficiency, and the design addressed durability and resilience. Responsible procurement requirements covered timber and other selected products, with responsibly sourced products accounting for 12.22% of the assessed materials.

Transport

Electric vehicle charging facilities and secure cycle parking support lower-carbon travel for employees and visitors.

Land use and ecology

A suitably qualified ecologist advised the project team. The site design and landscaping followed the ecologist’s recommendations to protect and enhance ecological value and biodiversity. Biodiversity was enhanced through the planting of native species and the provision of insect hotels, bird boxes and deadwood habitats.

BREEAM was not included in ABB’s original project requirements but was introduced through Logian. At first, the process felt demanding, but its value became increasingly clear. It brought important sustainability considerations into the project requirements that we would not necessarily have identified ourselves, including reduced energy costs, improved indoor environmental quality and employee wellbeing, and support for ABB’s sustainability objectives.

– Sakari Lehtovirta, Tenant Representative, ABB Marine & Ports

Benefits

BREEAM provided a structured framework for delivering a large production and logistics facility with ambitious sustainability objectives. The certification process supported measurable improvements in energy, water, materials, wellbeing and ecology, while providing independent verification of performance.

For TKU-Rakennus, the project demonstrates how ambitious BREEAM requirements can be integrated into the development and delivery of a large production and logistics facility. The experience gained from coordinating BREEAM requirements alongside energy, indoor environmental quality, materials and ecological objectives can also support future developments.

For Logian, a high BREEAM rating demonstrates its ESG commitments in an internationally recognised and comparable way. The certification gives current and future owners and investors a transparent basis for reporting performance. This supports the property’s long-term value and market position.

For ABB, the benefits include lower energy costs through energy-efficient systems, a better indoor environment for employees and support for its sustainability objectives. Third-party verification also strengthens ABB’s responsible corporate image.