The United States Falling Behind in Wind Energy: A Risk of Losing Ground to China

The United States, with only 10% of its electricity generated by wind in 2023, risks being surpassed by China, according to a report from the think tank Ember. Europe, on the other hand, is making significant progress.

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The think tank Ember warns about the United States’ lag in the wind energy sector. According to its latest analysis, the gap with major global economies, particularly Europe and China, continues to widen. In 2023, the United States generated 10% of its electricity from wind, a proportion slightly above the global average of 7.8%. However, compared to the performance of other regions, this figure remains insufficient.

The European Union, for example, reached a 17% share of electricity from wind in 2024. Countries like Denmark, Ireland, and Portugal far exceed this, with respective shares of 58%, 36%, and 31%. These results illustrate Europe’s massive commitment to this energy transition, especially in the offshore and onshore wind sectors. The United Kingdom has also made significant investments in wind energy, raising its share to 29% of its electricity production in 2023.

In contrast, China, while still behind the United States for now, with 9% of its electricity coming from wind, is accelerating its development in this sector. Beijing is expected to surpass Washington in the coming years, according to Ember. Another interesting point of comparison is developing countries like Uruguay, Kenya, and Brazil, which report shares of 36%, 16%, and 13%, respectively, well above the United States.

A key factor behind this American delay lies in the political choices of the Trump administration. Upon taking office, the former president signed a decree limiting new wind energy projects and opposed any form of subsidies for this sector. This policy hindered the growth of wind energy in the United States, despite technological advances and increasing investments in other countries.

Wind energy is, however, an increasingly competitive energy solution. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has repeatedly emphasized that wind energy is now one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity generation, particularly in coastal areas and windy regions. Additionally, declining installation costs and constant innovations are making this energy source more accessible worldwide.

If the United States fails to intensify its wind energy production, the country risks losing a significant portion of its influence in the renewable energy sector. The global wind market is growing rapidly, with forecasts predicting a doubling of installed capacity in the next ten years. This evolution presents significant opportunities for industry leaders, but also risks for those who remain behind.

American economic players will thus need to step up their efforts to catch up, or they risk seeing giants like China emerge as the new global leaders in wind energy production.

The United States in Competition with China

The United States is not alone in facing China’s growing power. The Asian country is investing heavily in renewable energy, particularly wind, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. China is already the world’s largest producer of wind turbines and is expected to continue expanding its installed capacity in the coming years. The Middle Kingdom plans to achieve a 20% share of wind electricity by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, China’s energy development policy highlights a major strategic issue: the transition to renewable energy. While Asia is ahead of many countries in integrating renewable energy, the United States risks finding itself in a difficult position as global demand for wind and other renewable energies grows.

The United States Facing a Global Trend

The United States’ delay in wind energy seems paradoxical given the country’s vast natural resources and untapped wind potential. However, a series of political, economic, and industrial factors have contributed to this situation. Although recent initiatives in certain states show a renewed interest in wind energy, the federal framework lacks decisive support to drive large-scale development.

In comparison, countries like Saudi Arabia, another major oil exporter, and Indonesia, the leading coal exporter, are also venturing into renewable energy, including wind. This transition is a key part of their long-term energy strategy, aiming to diversify their energy mix and prepare for future environmental and economic challenges.

Norway has received two bids for offshore sites in the Utsira Nord zone, marking a key step in the country’s floating wind development.
EDP Renováveis has completed the sale of twelve operational wind farms in France and Belgium to Amundi Transition Energétique for an enterprise value of €200mn ($215mn).
Octopus Energy has signed a strategic agreement with Ming Yang Smart Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of wind projects in the UK, combining software technology and turbines to boost local capacity.
The US government has requested the judicial cancellation of the federal permit granted in 2024 for an offshore wind project, citing impacts on commercial fishing and maritime rescue operations.
Vattenfall commits new investment to the Clashindarroch II onshore wind project, a 63MW site in Scotland set to begin construction in 2026 and deliver first power in 2027.
Alerion Clean Power enters the Irish market through the acquisition of an onshore wind farm in County Tipperary, as part of its 2025–2028 industrial plan.
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.
Ocean Winds reaches a new milestone with the installation of the first foundation at the Dieppe – Le Tréport offshore wind farm, which will comprise 62 turbines supplying nearly 850,000 people.
Pennavel and BrestPort strengthen their partnership around the South Brittany floating wind project, aiming to structure industrial operations from 2030 at the EMR terminal of the port of Brest.
Van Oord has completed the installation of 109 inter-array cables at the Sofia offshore wind farm, marking a major logistical milestone for this North Sea energy infrastructure project.
Italian producer ERG will supply 1.2 TWh of energy to Rete Ferroviaria Italiana starting in October, marking a step forward in structuring the national PPA market.
The Chinese turbine manufacturer has signed a strategic agreement with Mensis Enerji to develop an initial 4.5 GW wind power portfolio in Turkey, strengthening its position in a fast-growing regional market.
The Trump administration plans to revoke federal approval of the New England Wind project, jeopardising offshore wind contracts representing 2,600 MW of capacity off the northeastern US coast.
Orsted and two U.S. states have taken federal legal action to contest the abrupt halt of the Revolution Wind project, a $5 billion offshore venture now at risk of prolonged suspension.
SPIE Wind Connect will carry out subsea connections for phase II of the TPC project, a major development in Taiwan’s offshore wind sector with a projected annual capacity of 1,000 GWh.
Envision Energy launches its first project in Turkey in partnership with Yildizlar Group, adding 232 MW to the national wind capacity in Karaman province.
ABO Energy maintains its annual targets despite a drop in half-year profit, relying on cost-cutting measures and early project sales to secure cash flow.
Energiekontor has closed financing for two wind projects in Verden, with a combined 94 MW, with construction starting this year and commissioning scheduled for 2027.
South Korea has rejected all projects using foreign turbines in its 2025 offshore wind auction, marking a strategic shift in favour of local industry and energy security.
The Danish Energy Agency confirmed the rejection of 37 feasibility study permit applications, citing European Union state aid rules and lack of competition.

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