The global wind industry reached a new all-time high in 2025 by incorporating 165 gigawatts (GW) of additional capacity, representing a 40% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
With these new facilities, the cumulative wind power capacity on the planet surpassed 1,299 GW, consolidating this renewable source as a key piece in current energy systems, with a presence already in 138 countries.
The document, presented in Madrid, underlines the notable dynamism of Asia, where China added almost 120 GW in 2025 and India incorporated a record 6.34 GW during the last year.
In the European case, total installed wind power exceeded 300 GW, after registering its second largest annual volume of new capacity, with 19.1 GW – 16% more year-on-year – driven largely by the strong advance of Germany and Turkey.
Insufficient pace for EU 2030 goals
Within the EU-27, new installations reached 15.1 GW, an increase of 17%. However, this pace continues to be below the average annual growth required for the bloc to achieve its climate and energy objectives set for 2030.
In the United States, the onshore wind power added each year grew by almost 7 GW, which, according to the report, reflects the strength of a sector supported by solid economic fundamentals.
Spain adds 1.6 GW and is among the leaders
In the case of Spain, the country was among the 14 States that in 2025 launched more than 1 GW of new wind power, with a total of 1.6 GW, ranking eighth among the markets with the greatest development.
Together, 57 countries installed wind turbines during the last fiscal year, raising to 138 the number of nations that already have wind energy in their energy mix.
The advance was concentrated mainly in onshore wind, which marked a maximum of 155.3 GW after growing 42%, while offshore wind added 9.3 GW of new capacity, 16% more.
The GWEC CEO, Ben Backwell, highlighted that the strong increase observed in global wind installations "sets a new benchmark for an industry that is rapidly accelerating and responding to the growing demand for local, affordable, and resilient renewable energy."
"At a time when the dizzying rise in oil and gas prices is causing disruptions in economies around the world, the wind sector has demonstrated its ability to scale at high speed," he assured.
The GWEC also remarked that it is essential for governments to adopt measures to streamline permits, resolve network bottlenecks, mobilize financing, extend electrification, and strengthen supply chains.
Offshore wind approaches 100 GW and the world looks to 2 TW
Regarding offshore wind energy, the sector approached the symbolic threshold of 100 GW, with installed capacity rising to 92.3 GW. China led this segment with an additional 6.6 GW, followed by Europe, which incorporated almost 2 GW, with the United Kingdom connecting more than 1 GW.
On the other hand, the Global Wind Energy Council predicts that global wind capacity will surpass the milestone of 2 terawatts (TW) in 2029, just six years after reaching the first terawatt.
According to its projections, between 2026 and 2030 the sector will register a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. In that period, the entry into operation of 969 GW of new wind power is expected, which represents an average of 194 GW per year until 2030.