WindEurope CEO steps down

Giles Dickson, who has been at the helm for a decade, says he intends to become a school teacher in his home country the UK, but will remain in place until a successor is found.

“I’m incredibly proud of the progress wind energy has made in Europe in the past 10 years.” said Dickson. “I thank everyone at WindEurope for their engagement and support and the many people who have helped take wind energy forward during my tenure. Having spent most of my working life outside the UK, I look forward to going home and trying to put something back into the society I came from. But wind is a fantastic industry that it is a privilege to serve.”

WindEurope, which is based in Brussels, says that wind energy now accounts for 20% of the electricity consumed in Europe, providing 370,000 jobs that will increase to 600,000 by 2030. It also contributes €52 billion to Europe’s GDP, the association says.

“Each new turbine adds €16 million on average to the European economy and the industry’s 250+ factories are all over Europe including in economically deprived regions.”

“On behalf of everyone in the Board of Directors, both past and present, I want to thank Giles for his tremendous contribution to not only WindEurope, but also the expansion of wind across Europe,” said Henrik Andersen, chair of WindEurope’s board of directors. “It is a testament to Giles’ passion for and dedication to the energy transition that he will now help ensure a smooth succession and leave a stronger WindEurope than when he arrived. Europe is facing a generational challenge of becoming competitive and secure again, which wind energy plays a key role in.”

The Board of Directors has established a nomination committee with participation of select board members, including the Chair and Vice-Chair, to find WindEurope’s new CEO.