GITNUXREPORT 2025

Wind Industry Statistics

Global wind capacity reached 837 GW, powering over 400 million homes worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Onshore wind projects tend to have a shorter development cycle, generally around 2-4 years from planning to commissioning

Statistic 2

The wind industry employed about 1.3 million people globally in 2022

Statistic 3

Onshore wind is generally less expensive, with costs averaging around $0.02 per kWh in some regions

Statistic 4

The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for wind has fallen approximately 70% since 2009

Statistic 5

In 2022, the average bid price for offshore wind projects in Europe dropped below €40 per MWh, representing a significant cost decrease

Statistic 6

The levelized cost of offshore wind has decreased by approximately 50% since 2015, making it more competitive with fossil fuels

Statistic 7

The transition to renewable energy via wind can generate significant socio-economic benefits, including poverty reduction and energy access, especially in developing countries

Statistic 8

The cost of installing offshore wind farms is declining, with costs dropping by about 40% since 2015, making projects more economically viable

Statistic 9

Wind energy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1.1 billion tons annually once fully deployed globally

Statistic 10

Wind turbines can be recycled, with over 90% of components being reusable or recyclable by the end of their lifespan

Statistic 11

The global wind power capacity reached approximately 837 GW by the end of 2022

Statistic 12

Wind turbines generate enough electricity to power over 400 million homes worldwide

Statistic 13

Offshore wind projects tend to have higher capacity factors, often exceeding 45%, compared to onshore projects averaging around 35-40%

Statistic 14

The United States installed 17.7 GW of new wind capacity in 2022 alone

Statistic 15

China leads the world in wind capacity, holding over 300 GW as of 2022

Statistic 16

The lifetime of a modern wind turbine is typically around 20-25 years

Statistic 17

The global annual wind energy additions are expected to reach around 130 GW by 2030

Statistic 18

Europe accounted for roughly 40% of new wind capacity added globally in 2022

Statistic 19

Wind energy contributed about 6% of global electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 20

The use of floating wind turbines is expanding, with over 30 projects worldwide as of 2023

Statistic 21

The wind industry is expected to install about 17 GW annually in Europe from 2024 to 2030

Statistic 22

In 2022, Texas led the US with about 30 GW of installed wind capacity

Statistic 23

The average capacity factor for onshore wind turbines in the US is approximately 35-40%

Statistic 24

The global wind turbine market size was valued at around $67 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow significantly

Statistic 25

Hydrogen production using wind energy is gaining traction, with several pilot projects underway

Statistic 26

China plans to add over 150 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030

Statistic 27

About 70% of new wind installations globally are located in emerging markets like India and Brazil

Statistic 28

North America had over 118 GW of installed wind capacity as of 2022

Statistic 29

The total offshore wind capacity installed worldwide was approximately 65 GW in 2022

Statistic 30

The global offshore wind market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 20% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 31

By 2030, offshore wind is projected to contribute nearly 10% of the global electricity supply

Statistic 32

Global demand for wind turbine components like blades and gearboxes is expected to reach a valuation of over $20 billion annually by 2025

Statistic 33

The number of wind farms globally has surpassed 18,000, contributing significantly to rural economic development

Statistic 34

Solar-wind hybrid projects are emerging, with some combining wind turbines and solar PV systems to optimize renewable energy output

Statistic 35

Wind energy's share in the European Union's energy mix is projected to reach 25% by 2030, according to the European Commission

Statistic 36

Offshore wind farm leases in the US have increased significantly, with over 4 GW awarded in recent auctions

Statistic 37

The use of modular and scalable wind turbine designs is facilitating faster deployment in diverse geographic locations

Statistic 38

Wind energy accounts for approximately 90% of all new renewable capacity installed globally each year

Statistic 39

As of 2023, Spain has over 30 GW of installed wind capacity, making it one of Europe's leading wind markets

Statistic 40

The growth of community wind projects is helping to democratize renewable energy, with about 10 GW installed globally by 2022

Statistic 41

The total number of offshore wind turbines worldwide exceeds 6,000 units as of 2023

Statistic 42

The projected global wind energy capacity by 2030 is approximately 2 TW, doubling the capacity from 2022

Statistic 43

In 2022, wind energy projects in India commissioned over 7 GW, contributing significantly to India’s energy transition

Statistic 44

The global offshore wind pipeline exceeds 300 GW, with significant projects planned or under construction

Statistic 45

The global wind industry investment reached approximately $80 billion in 2022

Statistic 46

The offshore wind sector is projected to see over $100 billion in investments annually by 2030

Statistic 47

The US has committed to installing 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030

Statistic 48

The US Wind Energy Tax Credit (PTC and ITC) has played a significant role in expanding wind deployment, contributing billions annually

Statistic 49

The global investment in offshore wind is predicted to reach over $150 billion by 2030, driven by government policies and technological advancements

Statistic 50

The average capacity of new onshore wind turbines increased from ~1.8 MW in 2010 to over 4 MW in 2022

Statistic 51

The highest capacity wind turbine installed to date is the GE Haliade-X, with a capacity of 14 MW

Statistic 52

The capacity factor of offshore wind farms is generally higher than onshore, often exceeding 50%

Statistic 53

The advancement of turbine technology has led to taller towers, now exceeding 150 meters in hub height, increasing wind capture

Statistic 54

The use of digital technologies and AI in wind farm management is increasing, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs

Statistic 55

Advancements in blade materials have increased blade lifespan to over 25 years, ensuring longer operational life

Statistic 56

Wind turbines are increasingly being designed with taller towers to access higher altitude winds, with hub heights reaching over 150 meters

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Key Highlights

The global wind power capacity reached approximately 837 GW by the end of 2022
Wind turbines generate enough electricity to power over 400 million homes worldwide
The wind industry employed about 1.3 million people globally in 2022
Onshore wind is generally less expensive, with costs averaging around $0.02 per kWh in some regions
Offshore wind projects tend to have higher capacity factors, often exceeding 45%, compared to onshore projects averaging around 35-40%
The United States installed 17.7 GW of new wind capacity in 2022 alone
China leads the world in wind capacity, holding over 300 GW as of 2022
The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for wind has fallen approximately 70% since 2009
The lifetime of a modern wind turbine is typically around 20-25 years
The global annual wind energy additions are expected to reach around 130 GW by 2030
Europe accounted for roughly 40% of new wind capacity added globally in 2022
The average capacity of new onshore wind turbines increased from ~1.8 MW in 2010 to over 4 MW in 2022
Wind energy contributed about 6% of global electricity generation in 2022

The wind industry is soaring to new heights, with over 837 GW of capacity worldwide—powering hundreds of millions of homes, creating millions of jobs, and driving down costs as innovative technologies and massive investments propel global renewable energy forward.

Deployment Trends

Onshore wind projects tend to have a shorter development cycle, generally around 2-4 years from planning to commissioning

Deployment Trends Interpretation

Onshore wind projects, clocking in at just 2-4 years from planning to powering up, prove that when it comes to turning wind into energy, patience isn’t as long as the breeze.

Economic Factors and Cost Analyses

The wind industry employed about 1.3 million people globally in 2022
Onshore wind is generally less expensive, with costs averaging around $0.02 per kWh in some regions
The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for wind has fallen approximately 70% since 2009
In 2022, the average bid price for offshore wind projects in Europe dropped below €40 per MWh, representing a significant cost decrease
The levelized cost of offshore wind has decreased by approximately 50% since 2015, making it more competitive with fossil fuels
The transition to renewable energy via wind can generate significant socio-economic benefits, including poverty reduction and energy access, especially in developing countries
The cost of installing offshore wind farms is declining, with costs dropping by about 40% since 2015, making projects more economically viable

Economic Factors and Cost Analyses Interpretation

As the wind industry's costs plummet by up to 70% since 2009—bringing offshore bids below €40 per MWh and employment to 1.3 million globally—it's clear that turning the tide toward renewables is not only environmentally essential but also increasingly economically irresistible.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Wind energy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1.1 billion tons annually once fully deployed globally
Wind turbines can be recycled, with over 90% of components being reusable or recyclable by the end of their lifespan

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Interpretation

Harnessing wind power not only promises to slash over a billion tons of CO2 each year globally but also demonstrates environmental mindfulness with turbines designed to be almost entirely recyclable—proving that clean energy can be both powerful and sustainable.

Market Growth and Deployment Trends

The global wind power capacity reached approximately 837 GW by the end of 2022
Wind turbines generate enough electricity to power over 400 million homes worldwide
Offshore wind projects tend to have higher capacity factors, often exceeding 45%, compared to onshore projects averaging around 35-40%
The United States installed 17.7 GW of new wind capacity in 2022 alone
China leads the world in wind capacity, holding over 300 GW as of 2022
The lifetime of a modern wind turbine is typically around 20-25 years
The global annual wind energy additions are expected to reach around 130 GW by 2030
Europe accounted for roughly 40% of new wind capacity added globally in 2022
Wind energy contributed about 6% of global electricity generation in 2022
The use of floating wind turbines is expanding, with over 30 projects worldwide as of 2023
The wind industry is expected to install about 17 GW annually in Europe from 2024 to 2030
In 2022, Texas led the US with about 30 GW of installed wind capacity
The average capacity factor for onshore wind turbines in the US is approximately 35-40%
The global wind turbine market size was valued at around $67 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow significantly
Hydrogen production using wind energy is gaining traction, with several pilot projects underway
China plans to add over 150 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030
About 70% of new wind installations globally are located in emerging markets like India and Brazil
North America had over 118 GW of installed wind capacity as of 2022
The total offshore wind capacity installed worldwide was approximately 65 GW in 2022
The global offshore wind market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 20% from 2023 to 2030
By 2030, offshore wind is projected to contribute nearly 10% of the global electricity supply
Global demand for wind turbine components like blades and gearboxes is expected to reach a valuation of over $20 billion annually by 2025
The number of wind farms globally has surpassed 18,000, contributing significantly to rural economic development
Solar-wind hybrid projects are emerging, with some combining wind turbines and solar PV systems to optimize renewable energy output
Wind energy's share in the European Union's energy mix is projected to reach 25% by 2030, according to the European Commission
Offshore wind farm leases in the US have increased significantly, with over 4 GW awarded in recent auctions
The use of modular and scalable wind turbine designs is facilitating faster deployment in diverse geographic locations
Wind energy accounts for approximately 90% of all new renewable capacity installed globally each year
As of 2023, Spain has over 30 GW of installed wind capacity, making it one of Europe's leading wind markets
The growth of community wind projects is helping to democratize renewable energy, with about 10 GW installed globally by 2022
The total number of offshore wind turbines worldwide exceeds 6,000 units as of 2023
The projected global wind energy capacity by 2030 is approximately 2 TW, doubling the capacity from 2022
In 2022, wind energy projects in India commissioned over 7 GW, contributing significantly to India’s energy transition
The global offshore wind pipeline exceeds 300 GW, with significant projects planned or under construction

Market Growth and Deployment Trends Interpretation

With global wind capacity soaring to over 837 GW—enough to energize 400 million homes and powered by nearly 7,000 offshore turbines—it's clear that while wind power's 6% slice of the energy pie is growing, harnessing the breeze is now more than just a breath of fresh air; it's a high-stakes race where China and the US lead rapidly expanding markets, offshore projects outperform onshore in efficiency, and the industry’s projected to double its capacity by 2030, transforming the future of sustainable energy into a global windstorm of opportunity.

Policy, Investment, and Industry Development

The global wind industry investment reached approximately $80 billion in 2022
The offshore wind sector is projected to see over $100 billion in investments annually by 2030
The US has committed to installing 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030
The US Wind Energy Tax Credit (PTC and ITC) has played a significant role in expanding wind deployment, contributing billions annually
The global investment in offshore wind is predicted to reach over $150 billion by 2030, driven by government policies and technological advancements

Policy, Investment, and Industry Development Interpretation

With over $80 billion invested globally in 2022 and projections soaring beyond $150 billion by 2030, the wind industry is gusting ahead faster than a turbine on a breezy day—powered by policy, innovation, and a shared wind toward a sustainable future.

Technological Advancements and Innovation

The average capacity of new onshore wind turbines increased from ~1.8 MW in 2010 to over 4 MW in 2022
The highest capacity wind turbine installed to date is the GE Haliade-X, with a capacity of 14 MW
The capacity factor of offshore wind farms is generally higher than onshore, often exceeding 50%
The advancement of turbine technology has led to taller towers, now exceeding 150 meters in hub height, increasing wind capture
The use of digital technologies and AI in wind farm management is increasing, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs
Advancements in blade materials have increased blade lifespan to over 25 years, ensuring longer operational life
Wind turbines are increasingly being designed with taller towers to access higher altitude winds, with hub heights reaching over 150 meters

Technological Advancements and Innovation Interpretation

As wind turbine technology soars from modest 1.8 MW beginnings to colossal giants like GE’s 14 MW Haliade-X perched 150+ meters high, the industry is quietly but tirelessly turning a gust of potential into a gale of sustainable power, all while leveraging AI and better materials to keep the ride smooth and enduring.