James G.P. Dehlsen is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is a pioneering figure in wind power and renewable energy development in the United States.
James Dehlsen created Zond (wind power developer) in 1980. It was bought by Enron. After the Enron scandal, its assets were bought by General Electric; it became GE Wind Energy, the wind division in 2002.
In 2001, Dehlsen and his son established Clipper Windpower. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Energy Research Lab, the company developed the 2.5-MW Liberty Wind Turbine, featuring advanced drive train and controls architecture. As of 2011, more than 475 Liberty turbines (1180 MW) are operating in 18 projects across the U.S. and Mexico.
Recognition for Dehlsen’s wind industry work includes the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the American Wind Energy Association; induction into the Environmental Hall of Fame; and the "Danish Medal of Honor" conferred by Prince Henrik of Denmark. In 2008, Dehlsen was inducted into the National Environmental Hall of Fame as the "Father of Wind Energy in the U.S." In 2011, Dehlsen received an "Excellence in Renewable Energy Award" from the magazine Renewable Energy World.