Retired Finnish nuclear safety boss hired by Russian nuclear energy company

Jukka Laaksonen

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Jukka Laaksonen, who recently retired as Director General of Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), is to start working for a Russian state-run nuclear energy concern. From the beginning of April he will take up the post of deputy director of Rusatom Overseas in Moscow.
      “I will be able to have a very strong influence in the development of nuclear safety around the world, as the Russians are the overwhelming market leaders in the export of nuclear technology”, Laaksonen said to Helsingin Sanomat on Friday.
     
Rusatom Overseas was set up last summer to promote the export of Russian nuclear technology. It is part of the Russian Rosatom concern which operates nuclear power plants in Russia. The country is currently investing heavily in the export of nuclear power.
      “This is not about me lobbying for Russian nuclear energy. I will operate in such a way that Russian nuclear power might also become as good and as safe as possible.”
     
In his new post Laaksonen will be responsible for the technical side of nuclear exports. His task will be to make sure that international and national security standards are met in the projects.
      “I maintain contact with national security officials and see to it that the other side has the readiness to buy power plants.”
     
Russia sells new nuclear power plants to countries such as India, and works to upgrade nuclear power plants in Eastern Europe.
      Rosatom’s export branch is so new that it does not yet have a director-general. Laaksonen notes that the ultimate role of the organisation will not come out until after Russia’s presidential elections in March.
      The new post was proposed for Laaksonen in June. At about the same time, in the capacity of the head of STUK, he chaired a panel discussion in which the Russians marketed a nuclear plant that had been built in Kaliningrad.
     
The Russians are clearly pleased with Laaksonen’s new role.
      “Jukka Laaksonen’s arrival at Rosatom is an indication of confidence in our technology”, said Rosatom spokesman Vladislav Bochkov to Helsingin Sanomat.
      “He is very meticulous and uncompromising when it comes to the safety of nuclear power projects”, he added.
     
Laaksonen does not plan to market Russian nuclear technology to Finland. He also would not disclose how much his new post is paying him.
      “This will be a little extension to my pension”, Laaksonen said.
      Laaksonen worked for STUK from 1974 until his retirement in January this year. The new Director General Tero Varjoranta took over on February 1st.


Links:
  Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
  Rosatom website: Jukka Laaksonen gets a post in Rusatom Overseas

Helsingin Sanomat