Global wind energy expansion to stall short of triple goal

A gap of 585 GW is projected.

Think tank Ember said in its latest report that countries’ national targets add up to more than doubling of global wind capacity by 2030, but fall short of a tripling. 

According to Ember, the sum of 2030 national wind targets from 70 countries and one region is 2,157 gigawatts (GW), a 2.4x increase from 901 GW in 2022. This leaves a gap of 585 GW to achieve a global tripling of wind at 2,742 GW.

“Governments are lacking ambition on wind, and especially onshore wind. Amidst the hype of solar, wind is not getting enough attention, even though it provides cheap electricity and complements solar,” said Ember Global Electricity Analyst Katye Altieri.

“The path to a cleaner energy future could be shaped by prioritising improved policies, regulatory frameworks and financial support,” she added.

Ember said in its analysis that only 20 countries from those it covered have set their onshore and offshore wind targets, whilst 51 others have unspecified targets. 

China is seen to lead the delivery of wind energy as it over-delivers and the rest of the world seen to under-deliver.

Based on latest additions and forecasts, Beijing will exceed 800 GW of wind as early as 2027. The country will continue to account for over half of global wind additions annually, Ember said.

“Unfortunately, we are facing a climate emergency, and the world needs transformational action that delivers on the tripling promise set out at COP28. Action must be taken on permitting, finance, and supply chains - areas where action will deliver multiple benefits that close the gap between action and delivery,” said Ben Backwell, CEO of Global Wind Energy Council.