Optimism Rises in Wind Energy Market Despite Challenges

The 14th edition of the WindEnergy trend:index (WEtix) reveals a brightening outlook for the wind energy market, particularly in the longer term, across both onshore and offshore segments. This optimism marks a return to the positive trends seen before the previous year.

Compiled biannually since 2018 by WindEnergy Hamburg in collaboration with wind:research, the survey indicates an improved economic environment in Asia, with the onshore segment receiving its highest ever marks. However, challenges such as permitting, regulatory issues, and grid expansion, especially in the offshore sector, remain significant.

Onshore Wind Energy Market

The onshore wind energy market is showing mixed but generally positive signals. In Germany, the outlook for onshore wind energy in the next 12 months is better than ever, reflecting increased optimism among market participants. However, despite these positive short-term assessments, long-term prospects remain tempered by ongoing challenges. Permitting and regulatory hurdles, along with the need for grid expansion, continue to be significant obstacles. Investment costs and personnel shortages are also cited, though the perception of these hurdles has eased somewhat since the last WEtix report.

In Europe, the mood is cautiously positive for the onshore segment. While there is optimism about the short-term future, the long-term view is slightly more reserved. This cautious optimism is echoed in other world regions, where the legal, political, and social business environments present varied challenges.

Offshore Wind Energy Market

In the offshore segment, Germany's outlook for the next year is less optimistic than for onshore, though it remains positive. Long-term prospects have improved since the previous spring. Globally, there is a slightly negative trend for the offshore wind industry over the next 12 months, with all regions receiving poorer marks, albeit still at a high positive level. However, long-term assessments are more optimistic, particularly in Asia, which continues to lead significantly over other regions.

Turbine Sizes by 2030

By 2030, industry stakeholders expect offshore turbine sizes to grow to an average of 19.37 MW, a new record. Onshore turbines are projected to stagnate at around 8.55 MW, although 45% of respondents anticipate average outputs of at least 9 MW.