Littleton, Colorado, Oct 24 - Global wind-powered electricity generation is projected to reach a new record in 2024 as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, with wind speeds increasing across many of the world's wind farms.
According to energy think tank Ember, global wind electricity generation in the first nine months of 2024 has risen approximately 7% compared to the same period in 2023. Historical trends indicate that this figure could surge in the final months of the year, potentially pushing annual generation to unprecedented levels.
Typically, the highest wind generation occurs during the northern hemisphere winter, as over 90% of operational wind farms are situated in Asia, Europe, and North America. If production meets expectations, wind energy could account for more than 10% of global electricity output in November and December for the first time.
The potential for wind power generation in the latter part of 2024 largely hinges on wind speeds in China, the United States, and Germany, which collectively represent 64% of global wind generation capacity. China dominates with a 43% share, equivalent to around 400,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity.
In the first nine months of 2024, China's wind-powered electricity generation reached 712 terawatt hours (TWh), marking an 11% increase from the same period in 2023. The United States, the second-largest market, produced 333 TWh, a 6.2% rise year-on-year, while Germany generated 94 TWh, up 7% from the previous year.
Despite a slowdown in global wind capacity growth due to component shortages and inflation, experts predict a rebound. In Germany, installations are expected to recover later this year, aided by infrastructure repairs, while in the United States, developers are accelerating projects ahead of potential political changes after the Nov. 5 elections.
Asia continues to show robust growth, with wind capacity increasing by over 19% last year, largely driven by China, which has added 39,000 MW of new capacity in 2024, up 17% from 2023. The anticipated rise in output and capacity expansions in 2025 suggest a positive outlook for wind energy in the near future.