Market Trends of North America Wind Power Industry
Onshore Segment to Dominate the Market
- Onshore wind energy refers to the electricity produced by wind turbines situated on land, harnessing the natural flow of air. It is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies in North America. It is also important for a future carbon-free energy industry because wind turbines do not release air or water pollutants.
- Over the last five years, onshore wind energy power generation technology has evolved to maximize electricity produced per megawatt capacity installed to cover more North American sites with lower wind speeds.
- For instance, in 2023, onshore wind energy installations in North America totaled 172.29 GW. The United States accounted for 147.979 GW, while Canada had 16.989 GW. This represented a 4.92% increase from 2022, when installations were at 164.215 GW. The decreasing cost of power generation and increased investments in the United States and Canada are expected to drive further onshore wind turbine installations.
- Moreover, in June 2023, the United States increased its wind power capacity by 6.5 GW, investing USD 10.8 billion. All projects installed during this year were onshore, as no offshore projects were initiated. This kind of initiative can boost North America's total onshore wind energy installations.
- With the increasing need for an affordable, clean, and diverse electricity supply, the government and utilities nationwide consider wind power a viable solution. Moreover, with the region's unparalleled wind resources, ample opportunities exist to maximize wind energy development's economic and environmental benefits.
- In 2024, the onshore wind energy industry in North America is demonstrating recovery and expansion. The latest reports from the US Department of Energy (DOE) suggest that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has markedly improved projections for wind energy deployment in the near term. According to the American Clean Power Association (ACP), the land-based wind energy pipeline in the United States reached approximately 25.3 GW by the end of Q1 2024, marking an increase of over 5 GW compared to the previous year.
- In the next four years, North America is expected to add 60 GW of onshore wind capacity, with 92% of this growth occurring in the United States and the remaining 8% in Canada. This expansion may be driven by favorable policies, investments, and technological advancements. The United States will lead in new onshore wind projects, contributing significantly to renewable energy efforts. This growth supports the transition to cleaner energy and reduced carbon emissions.
- Owing to the above points and the recent developments, the onshore segment is expected to dominate the North American wind power market during the forecast period.
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United States to Dominate the Market
- The US wind power industry is receiving immense support from the government due to the America First policy, which aims to boost domestic energy production. The offshore wind power sector is considered a major area of development, as the country has a large coastal area available for leasing.
- In 2023, the country had the second-largest total installed wind energy turbine capacity, with 148,020 MW, marking a 4.9% increase from the 141,674 MW installed in 2022, which accounted for over 90% of North America's total wind energy capacity.
- Additionally, approximately 10% of the total electricity generated at the utility-scale in the United States, equating to 425 billion kWh, was derived from wind energy projects across 41 states. The leading five states in terms of wind electricity generation during this period were Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois, which together accounted for around 59% of the total wind electricity output in the country.
- In 2023, Vestas provided approximately 2.1 GW of wind capacity to the United States, representing the company's highest delivery volume in any nation during that year. Furthermore, Vestas obtained a substantial order of 1,089 MW for the SunZia Wind project located in New Mexico, which stands as the largest single onshore project worldwide for Vestas. The company also committed USD 1.9 billion to the US supply chain, collaborating with over 1,200 suppliers. This underscores the dependence of the United States on international firms such as Vestas for wind power turbines and equipment, even as domestic wind power generation capacity continues to expand.
- In 2024, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking offered a Green Letter of Credit valued at USD 900 million to Invenergy. This loan is aimed at backing the growth of extensive wind energy projects throughout the Americas. Invenergy's collection of renewable energy projects spans more than 30 GW, featuring notable wind energy ventures. Furthermore, Natixis CIB has extended USD 1.27 billion in support for 677 MW of wind and solar facilities in Kansas and Texas. This investment underscores the dedication to enhancing wind energy infrastructure.
- According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the wind power market witnessed significant growth in the total installed wind power capacity, and the ongoing and dramatic onshore wind boom in Texas primarily drove this increase in capacity. More than a quarter of the total wind capacity of the United States is in Texas.
- Also, according to the Department of Energy (DOE), offshore wind has the potential to generate more than 2,000 GW of capacity per year. Adding to this, the American Wind Energy Association’s officials have stated that around USD 70 billion of offshore wind power projects are in the pipeline and are expected to be completed by 2030.
- Owing to the above points and the recent developments, the United States is expected to dominate the North American wind power market during the forecast period.
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