The group took over Enron’s wind business eight years ago and, since then, GE Energy’s business in the sector has grown to $6.1bn in 2009 from $1.3bn in 2003.

Ritter assumed the post of general manager of GE Energy in Europe in April 2009. Prior to entering the energy sector, the German executive had held various leading positions in other parts of the group over the past 10 years.

He