Global offshore wind industry set to reach record 19 GW of additions in 2025

The global offshore wind industry is expected to see a rebound in 2025, with capacity additions reaching 19 GW and total projected investments of $80 billion, according to Rystad Energy's forecasts.

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The global offshore wind capacity is poised for a strong recovery in 2025, with estimated additions of 19 gigawatts (GW), according to a study by Rystad Energy. Following a slowdown at the end of last year, when new installations amounted to just 8 GW—2 GW less than the previous year—this rebound is supported by a record wave of lease sales for maritime zones designated for wind turbine installations. Mainland China, which remains the largest global market for offshore wind, is expected to account for 65% of this new capacity. Global additions in 2025 will surpass previous records, exceeding the 18 GW added in 2021 by 1 GW.

Growth of the floating sector and logistical challenges

The floating wind sector, which has recently seen a surge in project announcements, faces similar challenges to the traditional sector of fixed turbines, installed on foundations anchored in shallow waters. These logistical difficulties, particularly supply chain constraints, could hinder progress in deploying floating technology in the short term. To date, estimates forecast a capacity of less than 7 GW for this technology by 2030. Overcoming these obstacles will likely require increased government support.

Record auctions and uncertainty over lease agreements

In 2024, a record volume of 55 GW of offshore capacity was proposed in global lease auctions, outside of mainland China. However, it is not guaranteed that this capacity will be fully allocated. For example, in the United States, no bids were placed for a 3 GW floating project auction off the coast of Oregon, while the Gulf of Maine auction allocated about 7 GW of the 13 GW offered. Although auction offerings reached significant levels, they are expected to be lower in 2025, with proposed capacities ranging from 30 to 40 GW.

US federal policy and impacts on development

Offshore wind development is also facing uncertainties related to US federal policy. In January, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum suspending new leases and approvals on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), due to environmental and security concerns. This measure may persist throughout his term, creating uncertainty for ongoing projects and delaying new developments in the region.

A gradual return of investments in 2025

Despite significant delays in final investment decisions (FID) for new offshore wind projects in 2024, some notable progress has been made. Projects such as Inch Cape in the UK, with a capacity of 1.1 GW, or Empire Wind 1 in the US (810 MW), secured their financing in January 2025, thus reassuring investors. Additionally, several projects in Poland, the UK, and Germany are well positioned to reach their FID in 2025, with forecasts indicating 9.5 GW of investments for the coming year.

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Google has signed a power purchase agreement with Eneco to supply its Belgian data centre with wind energy from three wind farms totalling 54 MW.
Italian group Dolomiti Energia secures €200mn loan from the European Investment Bank to finance wind farms and modernise power infrastructure in two strategic regions of the country.
Wpd launches a crowdfunding campaign to support the construction of the Bréhand wind farm, aiming to raise €400,000 from residents with a fixed annual interest rate of 7%.
Danish group Orsted will cut a quarter of its workforce by 2027 and reduce its exposure to the United States, relying on a $9.4 billion recapitalisation to consolidate its development in Europe and Asia.
Developer Gwynt Glas enters development phase after signing a lease agreement with The Crown Estate, paving the way for a 1.5GW floating offshore wind project in Welsh waters.
From January 2026, the southern Polish city of Sosnowiec will power its municipal institutions entirely with renewable electricity under a public contract awarded to local provider Hekla Energy.
VSB France begins construction of its largest onshore wind project, a strategic 39.9 MW investment across two municipalities in Calvados, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.
Shell U.S. president stated that cancelling fully permitted wind projects severely undermines investor confidence in the energy sector.
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Envision Energy has signed an agreement to equip Kazakhstan’s largest wind power project, marking a strategic step in energy cooperation with TotalEnergies, Samruk-Energo and KazMunayGas.
The Swedish energy group aims to produce 9TWh per year with its Storlandet project, intended to meet rising demand from the mining and steel industries in the north of the country.
The two regional utilities join a JERA-led consortium to support the operation of the Ishikari Bay offshore wind farm, which entered service in early 2024.
Energy group Axpo is considering a new installation of three wind turbines in Wil, aimed at powering around 5,000 households and strengthening Switzerland's winter electricity production.
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Envision Energy has published an environmental product declaration for two of its turbines, a milestone certified to ISO standards aimed at strengthening its position in international wind markets.
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