Since 1923 the World Energy Council (WEC),, opens an external URL in a new window a global energy transition platform, brings together energy leaders throughout the world. The goal is to define, enable and accelerate successful energy transitions while maintaining a technology and resource neutral global perspective. By forming defined impact communities, the WEC brings together decision makers to allow for system-wide collaboration and unlock exponential growth opportunities and successfully manage energy transitions at all scales. The WEC network connects over 3,000 members in nearly 100 countries from both the public and private sectors.

One of their most critical communities are the Future Energy Leaders (FEL-100), opens an external URL in a new window which focuses on incubating the next generation of energy leaders and transition pioneers through leadership development, networking opportunities and participation in the Council’s activities. The network consists of 100 selected and outstanding members who share a commitment to deliver innovative projects, engage in national, regional, and global activities and to address the urgent need to humanize energy.

We are proud to announce, that Mr. Tatenda Phiri, student of our MSc Renewable Energy Systems, opens an external URL in a new window, Class 2021-2023, has recently been chosen by the World Energy Council to be part of the Future Energy Leaders program and send him our congratulations for this achievement!

Mr. Phiri holds an MBA in International Business  and has a managerial background in conventional as well as renewable energy technologies focusing on the implementation of new technologies and processes in the energy sector to accelerate the transformation towards sustainability.

View his profile on the FEL-100 website here, opens an external URL in a new window and learn more about his motivation to join the postgraduate Master’s program at TU Wien in the following:

“Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. As humans we have come to rely on many energy flows for our civilized existence, however, we have been consuming energy in unsustainable ways and one of the effects of this is climate change which is the biggest threat to human existence. If we really want to address climate change, we need to transition to options that are cleaner, sustainable and more efficient like Renewable Energy. My mission is to participate in further lowering the cost of renewable energy technologies, help governments and the private sector enhance their role in creating renewable energy markets and ecosystems. The time to act is now that is why I decided to do the Master in Renewable Energy Systems at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in order to equip myself to be able to play a role in tackling what is arguably the greatest challenge that mankind has to solve.

When I was looking for a renewable energy postgraduate programs there were several factors I took into account when making a choice. TU Wien’s reputation was one of the first features that attracted me, not in the prestige-glutting or superficial sense but rather because the institution stands for excellence. Though not a sufficiently satisfactory reason, especially since prospective students often go through the decision-making process in face of competitive alternatives nevertheless, this was one of the main reasons. What further attracted me to the program specifically was its multidisciplinary approach because, in order to find solutions and making them work, it takes all sorts of different skills. Unlike other programs in which there is a strong separation between science, engineering, business, and the humanities, TU Wien´s program sees all of this as one organic whole, because you need an understanding of all of these fields in order to create innovative ideas and get things done in today´s context. Additionally, the primary focus of TU Wien is research, and this was important for me because it lets you see the messy, disorganized process of coming up with new ideas and innovations. 

TU Wien´s reputation coupled with what the program offers is unique - a salad bowl of convincing characteristics and plentiful dashes of interesting quirks, this made it a perfect fit for me.”

MSc Renewable Energy Systems - Key Facts
Final Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Academic Director: Univ.Prof.Dr.techn. Reinhard Haas
Language: English
Duration: 4 Semesters
Location: Vienna & Bruck/Leitha
Structure: part-time, blocked modules
Next Program Start: 4. November 2021
Application Deadline: 30. June 2021
Download Brochure >>, opens an external URL in a new window