In addition to leading Ilmatar’s Development & Technology unit, Jussi plays an active role in advancing the energy sector through industry committees of Finnish Renewables and Finnish Energy. He is also a sought-after speaker at industry events and panel discussions. In this interview, Jussi shares insights into his career path, industry committee work, and what has made the years at Ilmatar fly by.
1. What is your role at Ilmatar?
I lead the Development & Technology unit. Our teams are responsible for permitting and technical design activities required for our projects. A key part of my role is ensuring that resources and attention are focused on the areas that best support Ilmatar’s business strategy.
2. Tell us briefly about your career before joining Ilmatar
Before joining Ilmatar, I led Ramboll’s unit responsible for land-use planning and environmental assessments. The team focused particularly on major infrastructure projects, and many of Ilmatar’s projects became familiar to me already during that time.
Prior to Ramboll, I worked in various expert and public authority roles, including positions at a Regional Council and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (EDTE Centre).
3. Tell us a little about your educational background
I graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2004 with a Master’s degree in Environmental Ecology. Unlike more traditional biology studies, my focus was on managing environmental impacts caused by human activities.
4. How do you enjoy working at Ilmatar? What is the best part of being one of us?
More than five years have passed quickly while working on meaningful and engaging projects. I am proud to have witnessed Ilmatar’s growth into Finland’s largest wind power producer during that time.
Compared to all my previous workplaces, Ilmatar has an exceptionally positive working atmosphere. Even challenging periods are easier to navigate when you are surrounded by motivated colleagues.
5. You are involved in industry committee work. Can you tell us more about it?
I have been involved with Finnish Renewables since 2022 and with various committees of Finnish Energy since 2023.
At the moment, most of my time is devoted to serving on the Board of Finnish Renewables. The Board is responsible for preparing the association’s budget and action plan and overseeing their implementation. It also guides the work of the committees in line with the objectives set out in the action plan.
The challenging market situation in the sector is also reflected in advocacy resources. As a Board member, I strive to ensure that the association’s annual budget of approximately €2 million is used as effectively as possible to support advocacy efforts.
Finnish Energy operates with larger resources and seeks to promote the interests of the energy sector as a whole. In these roles, I do not focus specifically on advancing wind or solar power but rather on ensuring that they are treated according to the same principles as other forms of energy production and industry more broadly.
6. What is the most interesting lesson or insight you have gained through committee work?
In addition to influencing ongoing legislative initiatives and the implementation of government programme objectives, it is equally important to influence which issues are not included in future government programmes. If something works well, there is no need to fix it.
7. What has been the most valuable lesson or memorable moment in your career?
The development of the Korpilevonmäki Wind Farm has been particularly meaningful to me. I lived on the landowner’s property for a total of 15 years during the 1980s and 1990s.
The acquisition of the project was announced on the same day I joined Ilmatar, and our team succeeded in obtaining all necessary permits and bringing the project to investment-ready status exceptionally quickly.
8. What is something people may not know about you?
I once worked at a slaughterhouse, where one of my tasks was cutting different meat products from carcasses. I was young and needed the money!
