Arthouros Zervos, a pioneer and advocate of renewable energy and founder of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), died on 29 July in Athens after a short illness.
Born in 1952, Zervos set up GWEC in 2005 with a group of like-minded individuals, associations and companies.
He was president of the European Wind Energy Council (now WindEurope) between 2001 and 2013, while also presiding over the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) until 2012.
GWEC said it and the entire wind industry extends its heartfelt condolences to Arthouros’ family and friends.
GWEC chief executive Ben Backwell said: “Arthouros showed indefatigable energy, optimism and determination to create a better world, right to the end.
“He was always willing to spare time to provide advice, support or simply have a friendly chat. I was very lucky to have him as a mentor and inspiration during the most important period of my career.
“Arthouros stayed involved with GWEC throughout, and I have fond memories of celebrating the 1TW Wind Power landmark in London last year.
“We were hoping to celebrate GWEC’s 20th anniversary together next year.
“Sadly this won’t be the case, but his legacy will be a key part of the celebrations.”
Global Renewables Alliance chief executive Bruce Douglas, who previously worked with Zervos to establish GWEC and alongside him at EWEA, said: “I am devastated that Arthouros is no longer with us.
“He was the reason I decided to spend my life working with wind energy and renewables, and I have relied on him as a mentor and friend for almost 25 years.
“His determination and warmth will be with us forever; however his loss will make us all even more determined to carry out the energy transition and create a better world for generations to come.”
Zervos had an illustrious career as an academic, serving for 42 years on the faculty of the National Technical University of Athens.
After an early realisation of the crucial role that wind and solar power would play in the world transitioning away from fossil fuels, Zervos became one of Europe’s leading policy advisors and renewable energy advocates.
He played a central role in the promotion and design of policies in Europe and around the world, helping create many of the leading bodies that are now driving the transformational work across the burgeoning renewable energy sector.
In, 2009, in the midst of the Greek financial crisis, Zervos returned to Athens to become Chairman and chief executive of the Greek power utility Public Power Corporation.
He managed the company through an “intensely difficult” period while keeping the transition to renewable energy central to its plans, along with his friend and close colleague Ioannis Tsipouridis.
Tsipouridis described Zervos as a “great man who did so much for wind energy and other renewables, and not just for Greece but for the Europe and the World.
“His unique intelligence and personality touched deeply all of those who were lucky enough to be near him.”
Arthouros was also the president of REN21, an international multi-stakeholder alliance advocating for the energy transition, and sat on the steering committee for Europe Beyond Coal, and Beyond Fossil Fuels campaigns.
In 2013 he received the “Poul La Cour” prize for outstanding achievement in wind energy.