World Builds Record Wind Energy Capacity, Cutting Reliance on Fossil Fuels

The world installed more wind power than in any previous year, as nations raced to replace fossil fuel plants with clean energy sources that produce no carbon emissions.

According to the Global Wind Energy Council, the world added 165 gigawatts of new wind capacity last year. That is a 35 to 40 percent jump from 2024, when roughly 118 gigawatts were installed. The World Wind Energy Association puts the 2025 figure slightly higher, at 169 gigawatts.

Total global wind capacity now stands between 1,299 and 1,347 gigawatts, spread across 138 countries.

Wind Now Outpaces Nuclear in Global Electricity

Wind turbines generated roughly 3,000 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, covering more than 11 percent of global electricity demand. That share now exceeds the contribution of nuclear energy worldwide.

Across 57 countries, workers installed 28,395 new wind turbines during the year alone.

The annual growth rate for wind capacity hit 14.3 percent in 2025, the highest since 2020, suggesting the acceleration is sustained rather than a one-time spike.

China, India, and the U.S. Lead Expansion

Five countries drove most of the growth. China, the United States, India, Germany, and Brazil together accounted for 86 percent of all new capacity added in 2025.

China led by a wide margin, installing between 120.5 and 130 gigawatts of new wind power. That alone represents roughly half of all global additions. The country is chasing its “30-60” climate targets, aiming to peak emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

India nearly doubled its installations, jumping from 3.4 gigawatts in 2024 to a record 6.3 gigawatts in 2025, making it the world’s second-largest market for new wind projects. The United States added 6.9 gigawatts, about 50 percent more than the year before.

In Europe, Germany led with 5.7 gigawatts of new capacity. The European Union as a whole added 15.1 gigawatts, a 17 percent increase year over year.

Why Wind Matters for the Climate

Wind turbines generate electricity without burning fuel, which means they release no greenhouse gases during operation. Lifecycle studies show wind energy produces roughly 11 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated.

By comparison, coal produces around 980 grams and natural gas about 465 grams per kilowatt-hour. That makes coal’s carbon footprint roughly 90 times larger than wind energy’s.

Over a 25-year lifespan, a single 3-megawatt turbine prevents the burning of approximately 154,484 tonnes of coal, which would otherwise release around 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that wind and solar together can deliver more than one-third of the emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030.

Wind Energy Is Now Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels

Cost reductions have made wind energy one of the cheapest electricity sources available. Onshore wind now costs between $23 and $139 per megawatt-hour, depending on the region. That compares to $68 to $166 for coal and $77 to $130 for natural gas.

Wind energy costs have fallen roughly 69 percent over the past decade, driven by larger turbines, better blade designs, and stronger supply chains.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia completed the Dawadmi wind farm, setting a new world record for the lowest-cost wind project at $1.338 per kilowatt-hour.

The International Renewable Energy Agency found that 85 percent of utility-scale wind and solar capacity added in 2022 cost less than the cheapest available fossil fuel alternative at that time.

Billions in Investment Keep Flowing In

Global clean energy investment reached $2.2 trillion in 2025, more than double what was invested in fossil fuels worldwide. A decade ago, fossil fuel spending exceeded clean energy spending by 30 percent.

In the first half of 2025 alone, new renewable energy projects attracted $386 billion in investment, a 10 percent rise from the same period in 2024. Offshore wind raised $39 billion in that period, already surpassing the $31 billion raised for the entire year of 2024.

Jobs and Community Revenue Follow the Turbines

The U.S. wind industry employs nearly 150,000 people across all 50 states. Wind turbine service technicians are the fastest-growing job category in the country.

Wind farms in the United States generate about $2 billion annually in state and local tax payments and land-lease income, supporting school budgets and local infrastructure.

For every dollar invested in renewable energy, research shows three times as many jobs are created compared to investing the same amount in fossil fuels.

What Comes Next

To meet a 1.5-degree climate pathway, global wind capacity must reach approximately 10 million megawatts by 2050, an eightfold increase from today’s levels. That would require installing roughly 350,000 megawatts of new wind capacity every year through mid-century, more than double the current pace.

The global offshore wind market is expected to grow from just under 90 gigawatts at end-2024 to over 400 gigawatts by 2035.

The world is on track to surpass 1.5 million megawatts of total wind capacity by 2026.

References

• Global Wind Energy Council. “Global Wind Installations Rise Record 40% as Industry Charts Way Out of Energy Crisis.” 2026 Global Wind Report.
• World Wind Energy Association. “WWEA Annual Report 2025: Global Wind Power in 2025: Record Growth and Emerging Challenges.”
• U.S. Department of Energy. “How Wind Can Help Us Breathe Easier.” Office of Clean Energy and Manufacturing, 2024.