In 2024, the global wind energy industry showed the best annual result in its history: 117 GW of new capacity was built, which provided a 20% increase in new generation in the global energy sector.
These data were published by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) in its Global Wind Energy Report 2025.
Key figures
- Last year, 109 GW of new onshore wind capacity was added. This figure was also a record – for the second year in a row, the total added capacity exceeded the 100 GW mark.
- On the contrary, the offshore wind energy sector recorded a decline: only 8 GW of offshore wind farms were added. This is 26% less than in 2023.
- 2024 was also a record year for auctions: 56.3 GW of offshore wind capacity was allocated, of which 23.2 GW was in Europe.
- The total capacity of wind power in the world last year amounted to 1136 GW. This is an increase of 11% compared to 2023.
- Onshore wind power for the first time exceeded 1,000 GW of total capacity – also +11%.
Which countries are ahead
The world leaders in terms of new wind power capacity last year were:=
- China;
- USA
- Germany
- India;
- Brazil.
Compared to 2023, Germany and India moved up one position, while Brazil dropped two positions to fifth place. Together, these five countries accounted for 81% of all new capacity added, up 1% year-on-year.
What about the rest of the world?
Europe
In 2024, 16.4 GW of new wind capacity was commissioned here, of which 12.9 GW was in the EU-27.
Compared to 2023, the total installed capacity on the European continent decreased by 10%, and its share in the global market decreased by 2%. Despite this, Europe remains the second largest wind energy market in the world.
According to GWEC analysts, the current pace of annual wind energy auctions in Europe is insufficient.
“They need to accelerate significantly if the EU wants to achieve its energy security and climate goals,” the experts are convinced.
North America
The continent retained the 3rd place in the global ranking, but its share in the global market in 2024 decreased by 33% compared to the previous year.
Latin America
The region was ranked 4th, but its market share decreased by 1%. This was mainly due to a 30% drop in new capacity in Brazil compared to 2023.
Africa and the Middle East
They remain the smallest regional market, despite the fact that the volume of wind capacity commissioning in 2024 doubled compared to the previous year.
Geographically, the development of wind energy remains uneven, but with positive developments. Thus, the leading markets remain the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, which account for 75% of the global market. According to analysts, the emergence of new players, in particular Uzbekistan, indicates the market is scaling up and the competitive environment is gradually increasing.
Forecasts
In 2025, GWEC experts expect a new record – the installation of 138 GW of wind farms. According to their forecasts, 982 GW are planned to be commissioned by 2030, i.e. an average of 164 GW per year. The average annual growth rate, according to analysts, will be 8.8% CAGR, and the main driving force will be Europe's desire for energy independence from Russia.
Earlier, EcoPolitic reported that in 2024, the world produced a record 41% of electricity from clean sources.
