South America: onshore wind capacity to double in 10 years

Onshore wind capacity in South America will reach 79 GW by 2033, boosted by 40 GW of new installations, according to Wood Mackenzie.

Share:

Amérique du Sud : la capacité éolienne terrestre va doubler en 10 ans.

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

According to Wood Mackenzie’s latest report, cumulative onshore wind capacity in South America is set to double to 79 gigawatts (GW) by 2033. Developers plan to add 40 GW of new capacity over the next decade. In 2023, a record 5.9 GW of onshore wind additions were reached in South America, largely thanks to a rush in Brazil to secure expiring transit fee subsidies. A record also reached on a global scale.

Brazil leads the way

Despite limited visibility of energy demand, Brazil continues to dominate the market as the largest contributor to regional growth. The country alone will account for 54% of the region’s total growth, adding 21.5 GW by 2033. Chile and Argentina will follow with 6.2 GW and 4.5 GW respectively. All three countries are expected to use commercial and industrial power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support wind power development.

Challenges and opportunities

According to Kárys Prado, senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie, despite a slowdown in policy-driven renewables overcapacity in the two main markets (Brazil and Chile), South America will face limited growth in the medium term. Market recovery will depend on grid upgrades to overcome solar competition and increases in energy demand, such as green hydrogen opportunities.

Transmission infrastructure and the free market

The report indicates that limited transmission infrastructure will remain a challenge for onshore wind in the region, which will face fierce competition from cheap solar PV. The open market, with its negotiable contract terms and large consumers pursuing decarbonization objectives, will remain essential for onshore wind expansion as markets mature in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

Regional outlook

Colombia and Ecuador will continue to rely on the regulated market and its centralized auctions to support development. State-owned companies in Bolivia, Guyana and Uruguay should also play a crucial role in promoting onshore wind projects. A clear supply and demand policy is essential to unlock South America’s potential, from diversifying the energy mix to green hydrogen. Onshore wind capacity in South America is expanding rapidly, driven by the free market and large consumers committed to decarbonization. Infrastructure and transmission policies will play a key role in this growth, offering a rich perspective on the region’s energy future.

Energiequelle GmbH has launched replacement work for old turbines at its Minden-Hahlen site, aiming for long-term structural maintenance with the installation of three new 200-metre machines.
GE Vernova will equip the Ialomiţa wind farm with 42 turbines of 6.1 MW, strengthening its presence in the European onshore wind sector with a 252 MW project in partnership with Greenvolt.
Eversource Energy posts a one-time $75mn charge linked to unforeseen costs in the Revolution Wind project, while tightening its 2025 earnings forecast.
The Renewables Infrastructure Group has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Virgin Media O2 for its onshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, ensuring price stability for both parties.
Eight local associations in Normandy and Hauts-de-France will receive a total of €120,000, financed by revenues from three RWE wind farms, to support public-impact projects in 2025.
CWP Europe formalised two major projects in Albania and Montenegro with backing from the European Commission, reinforcing the Balkans’ integration into the European energy market.
Elawan Energy secured two wind power projects totalling 92MW in Romania through a long-term public contract, strengthening its presence in the region with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.
A study conducted in the Gulf of Lion highlights the risk of collisions between migratory birds and floating wind turbine blades, as the region prepares to host 19 additional turbines by 2031.
Taaleri Energia’s SolarWind III Fund partners with Lords LB Asset Management to develop a 112 MW onshore wind project in Smiltene, scheduled for commissioning in early 2027.
The Dinawan Wind Farm project, first phase of a 1.3 GW energy hub, was selected in the fourth tender round of the Capacity Investment Scheme launched by the Australian Government.
RWE has completed construction of the Kail wind farm, comprising three turbines totalling 12.9 MW, marking its first commissioning in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Ignitis Group has officially submitted its bid to develop a 700 MW offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea, under a Lithuanian state-supported tender scheme.
Ignitis Renewables acquires the remaining stake from Ocean Winds in the Curonian Nord project, securing full ownership of this strategic development in the Baltic Sea.
Chinese manufacturer Ming Yang plans to build the UK’s largest wind turbine facility in Ardersier, with an initial £750mn investment and up to 1,500 jobs created by 2028.
German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex secured 2,170 MW in new orders between July and September, bringing its total volume to 6.7 GW over nine months.
Faria Renewables a finalisé l’acquisition de deux projets éoliens d’une capacité cumulée de 30,8 MW, consolidant son portefeuille d’actifs en Grèce et poursuivant son expansion stratégique sur le marché national.
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.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.