Global wind sector targets 2 TW installed capacity by 2030 despite uncertainties

Driven by China's acceleration, global wind capacity is expected to reach 170 GW in 2025, paving the way for a doubling of installed capacity by 2032.

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The global wind market is on track to reach a historic milestone with 170 GW of new capacity expected in 2025, marking an unprecedented record for the sector. This momentum is projected to add a second terawatt (TW) by 2030, only seven years after reaching the first in 2023, compared to the twenty-three years needed for the previous threshold.

China concentrates the majority of global growth

The main driver behind this expansion remains the People’s Republic of China, where onshore wind is accelerating steadily, supported by data centre demand and electrification needs. China’s market alone weighs heavily on global forecasts, representing the majority of new installations and boosting the sector’s overall performance.

According to recent projections, global wind capacity is expected to double from 2024 levels by 2032. Excluding China, the one-terawatt milestone would be reached in 2031, with global capacity doubling by 2034. Nevertheless, analysts point to strong regulatory instability across several countries, notably the United States, which is slowing the market’s momentum.

The United States enters a phase of adjustment

The adoption of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025 is reshaping the American wind market. The planned end of tax credits in 2027 is prompting developers to accelerate projects, leading to a short-term spike in activity. However, this momentum is expected to ease, and the United States may fall behind India and Germany in ten-year capacity additions.

This environment is forcing companies to reassess project profitability based on fundamental parameters such as electricity demand growth and competition between technologies. The ongoing restructuring could permanently alter the global wind market hierarchy.

Onshore wind remains stable while offshore faces headwinds

Outside the United States and China, the wind market shows signs of resilience. Onshore projects are progressing in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and several emerging markets, supported by regular tenders and robust order books. However, the slowdown in green hydrogen-related projects is weighing on overall development prospects.

The offshore segment is facing a difficult phase. Repeated tender failures and rising costs are hindering progress. In China, maritime use conflicts are blocking certain projects already under construction. In Europe, governments are under increasing pressure to adapt contract terms and maintain the sector’s appeal.

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Enefit Green has sold its only wind farm in Finland to Canadian fund TD Greystone Infrastructure Fund, refocusing operations on the Baltic states and Poland in a regional concentration strategy.
McDonald’s UK commits to purchasing all electricity from the Douglas West Extension Wind Farm, a 66 MW project developed by Capital Dynamics in Scotland, under a long-term agreement managed by ENGIE.
Swedish developer OX2 acquires three onshore wind projects totalling 235 MW in Romania, pushing its portfolio beyond 1.1 GW in a rapidly growing market.
Danish group Vestas is expanding its blade plant in Poland and creating more than 300 jobs to supply turbines to Germany, the leading onshore wind market in Europe.
The UK government has approved the development consent for the 480 MW Morecambe offshore wind farm, a project led by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and scheduled to enter construction in 2027.
Infinity Power has started work on its 200 MW wind project in Ras Ghareb, strengthening its position in the African market with technical support from China's POWERCHINA Huadong.
A partnership between the European Investment Bank and Crédit Agricole CIB aims to generate up to €8 billion in wind energy investments across the European Union through a bank guarantee mechanism.
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Cadeler has taken delivery of its tenth wind turbine installation vessel, Wind Mover, delivered ahead of schedule and immediately deployed in Europe, strengthening its capabilities amid rising industrial demand.
Levanta Renewables partners with Triconti Windkraft Group to develop an onshore wind farm in Quezon province, scheduled to begin operations in 2028.
BW Ideol Projects Company acquires a minority stake in the Méditerranée Grand Large project, strengthening its partnership with EDF power solutions and Maple Power in the Mediterranean floating offshore wind sector.
Octopus Energy joins a global initiative to accelerate renewable energy deployment in Africa, committing $450mn through its Power Africa programme to supply electricity to more than one million people.
Australian energy provider Snowy Hydro has secured long-term agreements with Aula Energy and TagEnergy, adding 120 MW of wind power and 105 MW of battery storage to its national portfolio.
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The Irish government has provisionally awarded development rights for the Tonn Nua offshore site to the Ørsted-ESB joint venture under a 20-year contract supporting a 900 MW project.
Nordex Group will supply six turbines to upgrade a 34.2 MW wind farm in Caparroso, financed by the European Union under the NextGenerationEU plan.
The Spanish group continues its asset rotation strategy by transferring its French onshore wind and solar portfolio to Technique Solaire, reinforcing its focus on offshore and regulated networks.

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