The winner of the Energy Transition Leader of the Year 2025 award was announced today at the Wind Oulu seminar. The award was presented to LUT University and Research Director Petteri Laaksonen, whom the jury considers to have carried out long-term, impactful work in advancing Finland’s energy transition. LUT University and Petteri Laaksonen were also voted the audience’s favourite.
By combining engineering, economics and social sciences, LUT University has positioned itself as a trailblazer of the energy transition and a key promoter of clean energy solutions for industry and society. With a long career in industry, Laaksonen works at LUT on topics including the energy transition, Power-to-X technologies and the hydrogen economy. In addition, he serves on the boards of several startups.
With its selection, the jury wanted to highlight the long-term and influential work of LUT University and Petteri Laaksonen in advancing Finland’s energy transition. LUT University is a central producer of knowledge related to renewable energy, combining strong basic research with applied research and clear, accessible science communication.
“The award aims to emphasise the importance of research and science-based approaches at a time when their value is increasingly being challenged. University research creates legitimacy, expertise and innovations that carry far into the future and enable the development of a sustainable energy system in Finland,” the jury stated.
“At LUT, we conduct internationally high-level research so that society and industry can access clean energy solutions. This also supports economic growth in Finland. I am truly grateful and honoured that our contribution to advancing the energy transition is recognised with such a prestigious award,” Petteri Laaksonen commented.
LUT University and Petteri Laaksonen were also voted by the public as the winners of the Energy Transition Leader of the Year 2025 Audience Award.
The Energy Transition Leader of the Year award (formerly Wind Power Act of the Year) is granted to an action or initiative that has contributed to supporting or accelerating the growth and development of renewable energy in Finland. This year’s jury consisted of State Counsellor Matti Vanhanen, Chairman of the Board of KONE Oyj Antti Herlin, and psychologist, researcher and politician Julia Sangervo.
Read more about the Energy Transition Leader of the Year award (in Finnish):
www.energianedistaja.fi/
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