Global wind power hits record 165 GW in 2025 as Asia dominates growth

China added 120.5 GW, the highest globally.

The global wind industry installed a record 165 GW of new capacity in 2025, a 40% increase year-on-year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Total global wind capacity reached 1,299 GW, with installations spanning 138 countries and adding turbines in 57 nations during the year.

The Asia-Pacific region continued to lead the sector, accounting for roughly 80% of global new capacity, driven primarily by China and India.

China added a record 120.5 GW, making it responsible for nearly three-quarters of global installations. India nearly doubled its annual additions to 6.3 GW, reflecting an 86% increase compared to 2024.

Together, the two countries contributed more than 126 GW of new capacity in 2025, reinforcing Asia’s dominant role in global wind deployment.

Fourteen countries installed more than 1 GW of new wind capacity in 2025, with China far ahead at 120.5 GW. The United States followed with 6.9 GW, whilst India added 6.3 GW. Germany installed 5.7 GW and Brazil 2.3 GW. Other contributors included Türkiye with 2.1 GW, Sweden with 1.8 GW, Spain with 1.6 GW, Saudi Arabia with 1.5 GW, France with 1.4 GW, the United Kingdom with 1.3 GW, Australia with 1.2 GW, Chile with 1.2 GW, and Finland with 1.0 GW.

Together, the five largest markets—China, the United States, India, Germany, and Brazil—accounted for 86% of global additions and 75% of total installed wind capacity worldwide.

Outside Asia, regional performance was mixed. Europe and North America recorded steady growth, with the United States rebounding strongly through a 71% year-on-year increase to 6.9 GW.

Africa and the Middle East posted record expansion, led by Saudi Arabia’s 1.5 GW Dawadmi wind farm, which set a world record for low-cost wind power at $1.338/kWh. In contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean saw a slowdown, mainly in Brazil, where installations declined due to weaker electricity demand and grid curtailment challenges.

Offshore wind continued to expand in 2025, with 9.2 GW connected to the grid, bringing global offshore capacity to 92.3 GW. China contributed 6.6 GW of this total, whilst Europe added nearly 2 GW, including more than 1 GW from the United Kingdom.

However, new offshore project awards fell to 11.4 GW, down sharply from 2024, due to auction cancellations and policy changes in key markets.

Onshore wind remained the main driver of growth. China alone installed more than 110 GW of onshore capacity, accounting for 73% of global additions. India also posted strong growth, rising from 3.4 GW in 2024 to 6.3 GW in 2025. The United States and Germany similarly saw gains, indicating a broader recovery in established wind markets.

Looking ahead, GWEC projects nearly 969 GW of new wind capacity will be added between 2026 and 2030, averaging 194 GW per year and a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.

Whilst China is expected to account for around 63% of installations in 2026, its share is projected to decline over time as emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East accelerate deployment.

Global wind capacity is now forecast to surpass 2 terawatts by 2029, just six years after crossing the 1-terawatt milestone in 2023