# Aloys Wobben

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German billionaire businessman (1952–2021)

Aloys Wobben Wobben in 2008 Born (1952-01-22)22 January 1952 Rastdorf, West Germany Died 31 July 2021(2021-07-31) (aged 69) Education University of Oldenburg Occupation Businessman Title Founder and owner of Enercon Children 1

**Aloys Wobben** (22 January 1952 – 31 July 2021)[1] was a German billionaire businessman, engineer, and the founder and owner of the wind turbine company [Enercon](/source/Enercon). He was one of the 50 richest people in Germany, with a fortune estimated at €4.78 billion, as of November 2020.[2] As of August 2021, *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)* estimated his net worth to be US$7.1 billion.

## Early life

Aloys Wobben was born in West Germany. He studied electrical engineering and earned a german Diplom Engineer degree (equivalent to a [Master's degree](/source/Master's_degree)) from the [University of Oldenburg](/source/University_of_Oldenburg).[3]

## Career

In 1984 he founded the wind turbine manufacturer Enercon in [Aurich](/source/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.[3][4] 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](/source/Forbes)*, Wobben had a net worth of $7.1 billion as of August 2021.[3]

## Personal life

Wobben was married, with one child and lived in [Aurich](/source/Aurich).[3]

He died in August 2021, after a long illness.[8]

## Recognition

- [Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany](/source/Order_of_Merit_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany)

- 2000 [German Environmental Prize](/source/German_Environmental_Prize) of the German Federal Environmental Foundation[9]

- 2004 European Solar Prize from [Eurosolar](/source/Eurosolar) in the category "Special Prize for Special Personal Commitment"[10]

- 2006 Honorary doctorate from the [University of Kassel](/source/University_of_Kassel)[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- 2006 Indigenat, a kind of "honorary citizenship", from the Ostfriesische Landschaft for services to the East Frisian economy[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- 2008 Rudolf Diesel Medal in Gold from the German Institute for Invention (DIE)[11]

- 2009 [Lower Saxony State Prize](/source/Lower_Saxony_State_Prize)[12]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Aloys Wobben](https://traueranzeigen.nwzonline.de/traueranzeige/aloys-wobben-1952) (in German)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Die reichsten Deutschen 2021 | Die aktuelle Liste der Milliardäre"](https://www.vermoegenmagazin.de/die-reichsten-deutschen/). *VermögenMagazin* (in German). 31 December 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Forbes_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Forbes_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Forbes_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Forbes_3-3) ["Forbes profile: Aloys Wobben"](https://www.forbes.com/profile/aloys-wobben/). *Forbes*. Retrieved 18 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Enercon | Invest in Niedersachsen"](https://www.invest-in-niedersachsen.com/en/reasons-for-niedersachsen/success-stories/Enercon). *invest-in-niedersachsen.com*. Retrieved 5 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["History"](https://www.enercon.de/en/company/history/). *enercon.de*. Retrieved 5 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Enercon ownership transfers to foundation | REVE News of the wind sector in Spain and in the world"](https://www.evwind.es/2012/10/04/enercon-ownership-transfers-to-foundation/24282). Retrieved 5 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Ill wind: Turbine Giant is Reaping the Storm"](https://www.handelsblatt.com/english/companies/ill-wind-turbine-giant-is-reaping-the-storm/23542018.html). *[Handelsblatt](/source/Handelsblatt)*. Retrieved 5 January 2021.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Enercon founder Aloys Wobben dies after a serious illness"](https://www.zeit.de/news/2021-08/03/enercon-gruender-aloys-wobben-stirbt-nach-schwerer-krankheit?). 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["DBU – Ecological Commitment honoured: German Environmental Award goes to Franz Daschner and Aloys Wobben | Englisch"](https://www.dbu.de/123artikel24908_2897.html). *dbu.de* (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Eurosolar und KfW Förderbank verleihen Europäische Solarpreise"](https://www.strom-magazin.de/strommarkt/eurosolar-und-kfw-foerderbank-verleihen-europaeische-solarpreise_54599.html). *strom-magazin.de*. Retrieved 6 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Bloomberg Billionaires Index"](https://www.bloomberg.com//billionaires/). *Bloomberg.com*. Retrieved 6 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Nordwest-Zeitung. ["AUSZEICHNUNG: Land ehrt Wind-Pionier Wobben"](https://www.nwzonline.de/wirtschaft/land-ehrt-wind-pionier-wobben_a_1,0,3205614113.html). *nwzonline.de* (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2021.

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND People Deutsche Biographie

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aloys Wobben](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloys_Wobben) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloys_Wobben?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.