As global electricity demand continues to rise, offshore wind power is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the clean energy future. With its vast potential and technological maturity, offshore wind is poised to play a critical role in meeting climate targets and ensuring energy security worldwide.
In 2024, the offshore wind industry added around 8 GW of new capacity, bringing the total global installed capacity to approximately 83 GW, enough to power more than 70 million households. Despite macroeconomic challenges and shifting policy frameworks, the sector continued to demonstrate resilience, with record levels of construction activity and government auctions resulting in over 50 GW of new capacity awarded and nearly 50 GW under construction.
Major markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan, and France continue to drive the industry forward, accounting for the majority of recent capacity additions. Together with new projects emerging in North America and other parts of Asia, these markets underline offshore wind’s role as a reliable pillar of global clean energy development.
Looking ahead, policy momentum remains strong. The European Union, for example, has set a target of installing at least 111 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, while the United States, Japan, and South Korea are also advancing ambitious build-out plans to support their energy transition goals, according to the latest projections from the Global Wind Energy Council. Although the pace of deployment may vary across markets, the long-term outlook remains positive, anchored in clear political commitment and growing investor confidence.
Together, these developments mark a transformative decade for offshore wind, one defined by scale, innovation, and collaboration to deliver cleaner energy and a more sustainable future.
