New SANE Project Leader

Publish date: 07/08/2025

Atte Helminen, a senior scientist and project manager at VTT steps up as the new leader of the SANE project. Previously, Atte was the coordinator of EU Horizon EURATOM project Benchmark Exercise on Safety Engineering Practices (BESEP) and has 25 years of experience in the field. We are thrilled to navigate the path of advancement together!


New SANE coordinator

After Silja Häkkinen’s departure from VTT to Finnish power company Fortum, Atte is ready to step up to lead the Safety Assessment of Non-Electric uses of nuclear energy (SANE) project. Prior to SANE project, Atte was the coordinator of EU Horizon EURATOM project Benchmark Exercise on Safety Engineering Practices (BESEP).


Atte has long working experience on nuclear safety. His main area of expertise is in the field of probabilistic risk assessment and risk management. Participation in several SMR related research projects, such as ELSMOR and EASI-SMR projects, provides an excellent background for the leadership of SANE project. In addition to the management, Atte will be participating in the probabilistic risk assessment and stakeholder engagement parts of the project.


Atte has a master’s degree in engineering physics and 25 years of experience researching and working at both VTT and TVO, producing countless reports and taking part in many international projects in and outside of the EU, he is a perfect person for undertaking the challenge of being the next coordinator of SANE project.


SANE is an exceptional project. It investigates the new application areas for small modular reactors. At the same time, it seeks to integrate the safety and performance assessments of SMR with the stakeholder perceptions and potential needs to improve risk communication. SANE can be seen as a probe project. It can provide new and great ideas for the application of SMR in creating clean energy solutions and in the fight against the climate change.


We are thrilled to have Atte as the new project leader, helping us navigate the path of advancement in all related fields and working together towards a cleaner, safer future. We would also like to thank Silja Häkkinen for her professional and enthusiastic leadership and all the time and effort she devoted to the SANE project.