Aloys Wobben
Aloys Wobben | |
|---|---|
 Wobben (2008) | |
| Born | 22 January 1952 Rastdorf, Niedersachsen, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Citizenship | Germany |
| Alma mater | University of Oldenburg |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Founder and owner, Enercon |
| Spouse | Married |
| Children | 1 |
Aloys Wobben (born 22 January 1952) is a German billionaire businessman, engineer, and the founder and owner of the wind turbine company Enercon. Wobben is one of the 50 richest people in Germany, with a fortune estimated at EUR€ 4.78 billion, as of November 2020.[2] As of 28 February of 2021, Bloomberg estimated Wobben net worth to be US$ 7.89 Billion.
Early life
Aloys Wobben was born in Germany. He studied electrical engineering and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oldenburg.[3]
Career
In 1984 he founded the wind turbine manufacturer Enercon in Aurich. He began developing and producing wind turbines with three employees. In the following years, Enercon developed into one of the most successful companies in the German wind energy industry.[4][3] In 1993, Wobben switched production to the gearless wind turbine with full converter that he had developed. The Enercon E-40 turbine met expectations and ensured the company's worldwide success.[5]
For health reasons, Wobben withdrew from the operational business in 2012 and transferred his company shares to the Aloys-Wobben Foundation with effect from 1 October 2012. The foundation thus became the sole shareholder of the Enercon Group.[6][7]
According to Forbes, Wobben has a net worth of $7.9 billion and is #334 on the Forbes billionaire list as of July 2019.[1]
Personal life
Wobben is married, has one child and lives in Aurich.[3]
Recognition
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 2000 German Environmental Award of the German Federal Environmental Foundation[8]
- 2004 European Solar Prize from Eurosolar in the category "Special Prize for Special Personal Commitment"[9]
- 2006 Honorary doctorate from the University of Kassel[citation needed]
- 2006 Indigenat, a kind of "honorary citizenship", from the Ostfriesische Landschaft for services to the East Frisian economy[citation needed]
- 2008 Rudolf Diesel Medal in Gold from the German Institute for Invention (DIE)[10]
- 2009 Lower Saxony State Prize[11]
References
- ^ a b "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Aloys Wobben". Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Die reichsten Deutschen 2021 | Die aktuelle Liste der Milliardäre". VermögenMagazin (in German). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ a b c "Forbes profile: Aloys Wobben". Forbes. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Enercon | Invest in Niedersachsen". www.invest-in-niedersachsen.com. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "History". www.enercon.de. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "Enercon ownership transfers to foundation | REVE News of the wind sector in Spain and in the world". Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "Ill wind: Turbine Giant is Reaping the Storm". www.handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "DBU - Ecological Commitment honoured: German Environmental Award goes to Franz Daschner and Aloys Wobben | Englisch". www.dbu.de (in German). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "Eurosolar und KfW Förderbank verleihen Europäische Solarpreise". www.strom-magazin.de. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ Nordwest-Zeitung. "AUSZEICHNUNG: Land ehrt Wind-Pionier Wobben". www.nwzonline.de (in German). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
 | This German business-related biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |