The collaboration between C2 and Helsinki follows a tripartite model that also includes ISS Services. ISS acts as the full-service provider, and according to Markkanen, C2’s role as a technical supplier has been crucial. C2’s technology now controls around 100,000 luminaires in Helsinki – a number that continues to grow annually as outdated lights are replaced with LEDs and new lighting infrastructure is installed. Several of the city’s sports venues also utilize C2’s SmartPlay push-button system, allowing users to activate lights when needed, which enhances usability and reduces unnecessary energy consumption. Staffed fields use manual controls, enabling caretakers to adjust lighting levels as needed with a simple turn of a switch – offering flexibility and savings without technical complexity.

Tangible Benefits: Multi-Million Euro Savings and Environmental Action

Individual luminaire control and dynamic solutions have contributed to cumulative annual savings of over €300,000 in electricity costs. Once the Helsinki LED project is completed, the savings are expected to exceed €2 million. But the project is about more than just finances. According to Markkanen, smart lighting has been a key factor in achieving the Carbon Neutral Helsinki 2030 goals. He emphasizes, “We don’t do lighting just to save – we do it to make urban spaces better for people. The fact that we can save this much along the way proves we’re on the right path.”

Beyond savings, the real value of the system lies in usability and quality. Lighting is controlled according to the situation, location, and need. User experience has become central: for example, lighting in the Seurasaari bat areas is adapted to natural conditions, while in Senate Square it accounts for architectural highlights, events, and the specific needs of the church, university, city, and state administration. Light can be directed precisely where and when it’s needed – without compromising safety or ambiance.

Smart control has also extended beyond lighting. C2’s systems support safe power distribution for urban events, responding to the growing demand for event electricity driven by street food vendors and outdoor activities.

One of the early yet still relevant innovations is stairwell heating control. “These consume a lot of energy, and when we know when and where they are truly needed, we can save significantly without compromising safety.” Solutions like these have helped Helsinki respond swiftly to energy crises and market price fluctuations.

Developing Together

The solutions developed with Helsinki were not off-the-shelf packages – they were created together. One example is the color temperature-adjustable lighting, first piloted in Helsinki outdoor lighting in 2019 – the first of its kind globally. This wasn’t just a technical innovation, but a step toward a more human-centered city. In Ala-Malmi Park, residents can change light color and temperature using their phones, directly influencing their environment.

Projects like Kaisatunnel, Senate Square, and Seurasaari showcase uncompromising design and multidisciplinary collaboration. In the Kaisaniemi Tunnel, lighting adjusts at the tunnel entrance based on ambient brightness – ensuring visibility without glare, maintaining the tunnel’s calm atmosphere. At Senate Square, everyday life meets ceremony: lighting must support regular evening use as well as state functions, security measures, and formal events. The historical surroundings dictate the amount, direction, and tone of light. According to Markkanen, these aren’t just projects – they’re demonstrations of ongoing commitment to improvement: “This isn’t just about Helsinki or C2 – it’s about the entire user community. When someone invents a solution, everyone benefits.”

A Flexible Partner – Even in a Storm

When a global component shortage threatened project progress, C2 responded swiftly – redesigning, testing, and securing delivery capacity. Markkanen especially praises C2’s agility: “A larger operator might not have had the same responsiveness.” The collaboration has balanced innovation, usability, and the city’s values – a space where C2’s flexibility has truly stood out.

Trust Built on Actions

Sales Manager Jani Lind has nurtured the customer relationship for over a decade. “We maintain regular, close dialogue with the client and call things by their real names. This is a partnership where your partner doesn’t disappear when challenges arise.”

Markkanen concludes: “C2 has provided us with solutions that didn’t exist before. That’s why I still recommend them – with a perfect ten.”