Wood Mackenzie’s Global Wind Power Market Outlook (Q3 2025) projects that global wind capacity will continue to expand strongly over the next decade. The sector is expected to add its second terawatt of capacity by 2030, just seven years after reaching its first terawatt in 2023.
Global wind additions in 2025 are forecast to reach 170 GW, with more than 70 GW expected in the final quarter alone. This would mark the largest quarterly increase on record. The forecast has been revised upward by 13% compared with the previous quarter, mainly due to strong onshore growth in China. Overall, global capacity is projected to double from 2024 levels by 2032. Outside China, cumulative capacity is expected to reach 1 TW in 2031 and to double from 2024 levels by 2034.
At the same time, policy changes in key markets such as the USA are creating uncertainty, which may slow the pace of growth.
China leads global wind expansion
China continues to dominate global additions, particularly in onshore wind, supported by demand from data centres and wider electrification. Wind power is showing stronger returns than solar in liberalised power markets, driving investor interest. Offshore wind in China, however, faces challenges from sea-use conflicts, delaying or halting projects.
US market outlook weakens after policy change
In the USA, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed in July 2025, ends tax credits for wind after 2027. This has triggered a short-term surge in project development but reduces long-term prospects. As a result, the USA is expected to fall behind India and Germany in terms of capacity additions over the next decade.
Mixed picture for offshore wind
Onshore wind remains stable in many regions, including Europe, Asia Pacific, and emerging markets. Offshore development is more uncertain, with higher costs and tender failures slowing progress. Policymakers in Europe and elsewhere face pressure to adjust contract frameworks, while emerging markets continue to struggle with financing and technical barriers.
