Jari Koppelo, Project Manager at Nordic Electro Power (NEPower), entered the electrical industry more than 25 years ago. Introduced to the field already in childhood through his father, who also worked in the industry, Koppelo progressed from an electrician to a power engineering graduate from Vaasa Technical Institute (now VAMK) in 1999.
Koppelo’s extensive 26-year career has covered the full spectrum of the electrical sector, from electronics to high-voltage systems. He has explored a wide range of roles, even serving seven years as the CEO of a small company specializing in electric machinery and generators.
The last five years of his career have focused on the rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Koppelo describes solar power plants and battery energy storage facilities as a “dream job” for an electrical professional. These projects offer the chance to work across all possible voltage levels, from direct current to high-voltage systems. Jari has also gained extensive international experience, having visited nearly 90 countries for both work and leisure.
Project planning and the Nivala battery storage facility
Since joining NEPower this summer, Koppelo typically oversees 2-3 projects simultaneously. The role of a project manager is continuous monitoring of schedules, ensuring timely deliveries of materials and equipment, and securing sufficient workforce throughout the project.
At the core of Koppelo’s leadership philosophy is strong anticipation. He aims to stay a month or two ahead of the project timeline. The goal is to avoid reactive firefighting and instead maintain structured, planned project management, where written plans and agreements play a crucial role.
Among NEPower’s projects, the Nivala battery energy storage system (BESS) stands out in Koppelo’s memory. He works in the project as a site manager. This experience enriches his perspective and decision-making when acting as a Project Manager on other sites.
Work as a way of life
For Jari Koppelo, work is more than just a means to fund leisure, it is a way of life. He emphasizes his flexibility and willingness to take on new tasks whenever it benefits the company. At the same time, he believes experienced professionals have a responsibility to guide younger colleagues so that the expertise and traditions of the electrical industry remain strong.
To balance his demanding work, Koppelo exercises in the evenings by going to the gym and swimming. He finds true peace at his wilderness cabin in Sodankylä, where he spends summers and autumns fishing, hunting, and enjoying nature. In winter, he relaxes by ice fishing along the Oulu seashore.
Construction also serves as a form of relaxation for him. Small-scale renovation and woodworking provide a healthy counterbalance to mentally demanding project work, allowing him to create something concrete with his hands without overthinking.
Published 7.1.2026