Background
Birol, Fatih was born in 1958 in Ankara, Turkey.
Birol, Fatih was born in 1958 in Ankara, Turkey.
Bachelor of Science in Power Engineering, Technology University, Istanbul, Turkey. Master of Science in Energy Economics, Technology University, Vienna. Doctor of Philosophy in Energy Economics, Technology University, Vienna.
He previously served as the Chief Economist and Director of Global Energy Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs in Paris. He is responsible for the Institute of Economic Affairs’s flagship World Energy Outlook publication, which is recognised as the most authoritative source for strategic analysis of global energy markets. Birol has been named by Forbes magazine among the most powerful people in terms of influence on the world’s energy scene.
He is a frequent contributor to print and electronic media and delivers numerous speeches each year at major international summits and conferences.
Birol designs and directs the Institute of Economic Affairs"s annual World Energy Outlook. On 15 December 2008, George Monbiot, described Birol as one of the most powerful men on earth whose words are considered as the "petroleum gospel" by world governments.
Monbiot interviewed Birol on the day the 2008 annual report was published and challenged the research conclusions regarding major changes in the global petroleum sector outlook. Eurelectric Award 2013
Paul Bulteel, Eurelectric Electricity Ambassador announced at the Eurelectric Annual Convention in Bologna on 4 June 2013, that the Eurelectric Award went to Birol for "his outstanding contribution to improving understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the power sector." Buleel added that Birol in his "unique position" raised awareness of power sector among policymakers, the financial community and other stakeholders.
"Under Doctor Fatih Birol"s direction, the has become the most authoritative source of forward-looking energy market analysis.
lieutenant has drawn attention to the huge challenges that will need to be overcome to maintain electricity supply in the decades ahead. Its finding that 2.6 trillion United States dollar needs to be invested in the European Union"s power sector through to 2035 has become an iconic figure for the industry. Fatih Birol has made a unique contribution to raising awareness among policymakers, the financial community and other stakeholders of the issues the power sector has to deal with".
Forbes magazine
In an article published in Forbes magazine in 2009, T. Boone Pickens, American financier and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Boite Postale Capital, selected Birol as number four of seven most influential people in the world"s energy sector.
According to oil tycoon turned wind advocate Pickens, "When he says things like, "the world would need to find the equivalent of four times the crude oil reserves now held by Saudi Arabia to maintain current production plus six Saudi Arabias if it is to keep up with the expected increase in demand between now and 2030," the world sits up and takes notice."
Prior to joining the Institute of Economic Affairs as Chief Economist on 1 October 1995, Doctor Birol worked at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Organisation of Petroleum Export Countries) in Vienna. A Turkish citizen, Birol was born in Ankara in 1958.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in power engineering from the Istanbul Technical University. He received his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in energy economics from the Technical University of Vienna.
In 2013, Birol was awarded a Doctorate of Science honoris causa by Imperial College London.
He is the Chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos) Energy Advisory Board and a member of the United Nations Secretary-General"s "High-level Group on Sustainable Energy for All."
He was made an honorary life member of Galatasaray Football Club in 2013.