Global Wind Capacity Expected to Cross 2 TW by 2030, driving economic growth: GWEC

21 January, Davos, Switzerland | New figures from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) show 2025's record new capacity installed was driven by accelerated growth across Asia. India set a new national record of 6.3 GW installed last year, while Europe has delivered another 16.5 GW of new capacity - 5 GW more than was installed in 2024. In the United States more than 7 GW of new capacity is expected, while China is on course to pass 100 GW, with 89 GW installed by the end of November. It is estimated that the world will pass 150 GW of wind energy installations in the year 2025.

By 2030 growing wind capacity will see countries like Vietnam, Australia and the Philippines catching up with Europe's mature markets. These markets see renewable energy as key to powering their GDP growth targets. Wind energy is at the heart of future economic development. As growth is decoupled from rising emissions, wind energy has become the go-to renewable energy technology to provide a clean and secure future-focused energy system.

• 2025 was a record year for new wind energy capacity.
• GWEC Market Intelligence raised its global wind installation forecast for 2025 by 8.8% (13.3GW) to 150GW.
• Global capacity will pass 2 TW by 2030, with APAC ex. China making up 12% of global wind energy installations by end of decade.
• GDP growth and wind energy deployment are now intrinsically linked.

"These new figures show that fast-growing economies are driving the growth of wind energy, and wind energy is in turn driving those economies to new heights."

"In China, we estimate there are more around 225,000 wind turbines generating more than 1.2 GWh of electricity, helping thermal generation fall in the country as energy consumption hit a new high. In India, soaring electricity demand is being met by a record-breaking year for new wind energy capacity and huge solar additions. In the UK, the record-breaking AR7 auction is going to bring £22bn of new private investment into the country[1]. This momentum can be seen in the next wave of emerging markets of Vietnam, South Korea and the Philippines."

"It is now clear that economic growth and renewable energy go hand-in-hand. The reality of the modern energy system is becoming increasingly clear, and wind energy is cementing its place as the foundation of the Age of Electricity."

Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council

"The world is entering an energy intensive growth phase, and wind energy is proving to be its backbone. In 2025 alone, global wind installations are set to cross 150 GW, up from 94 GW just four years ago, driven largely by Asia's fast-growing economies."

"Countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Australia and the Philippines are scaling wind to meet rising industrial demand, urbanisation and electrification at the lowest cost. By 2030, global wind capacity will exceed 2 terawatts, with Asia-Pacific markets outside China accounting for an increasing share of that growth."

Girish Tanti, Vice-Chairman, Global Wind Energy Council

Global Growth

The growth of wind energy around the world will define the next era of economic development, and economies not embracing the potential of clean energy, secure generation and new industries face leaving future generations in a race to catch up.

China is expected to report GDP growth of around 5% in 2025, while the IMF forecasts around 6% for India, 7% for Vietnam and 6% for the Philippines. These countries are building new economies for the 4.75 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region, who consume around half of all global energy consumption, but are forecast to consume 60% more energy by 2040. [2] Emerging and developing economies accounted for over 80% of global energy demand growth [3], and wind energy is stepping up to meet that demand and build a clean, secure and future-focused energy system for the next generation of major economies.

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[1] https://www.renewableuk.com/news-and-resources/press-releases/record-amount-of-offshore-wind-power-secured-in-latest-auction-for-new-projects-will-boost-britain-s-energy-security-and-lower-bills/

[2] https://www-test.newsfilecorp.com/release/100545/Asia-Clean-Energy-Summit-2021-ACES-in-Singapore-Convenes-ASEAN-Ministers-Regional-Energy-Leaders-to-Cocreate-A-Sustainable-Future-with-Clean-Renewable-Energy

[3] https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2025/key-findings