Global cumulative installed capacity of wind power 2024, by country

China is by far the largest installer of wind power in the world, more than tripling the second-ranked United States. As of the end of 2024, China had cumulatively installed over 561 gigawatts of wind energy, in comparison to 154 gigawatts of wind energy installed in the United States. Worldwide, the cumulative capacity of wind energy reached more than one terawatt in 2024. 

Wind energy production worldwide

Electricity can be generated by harnessing the kinetic energy created by air in motion. Wind hits the blades, rotating the turbines that are connected to a generator, and shifts kinetic energy to rotational energy and eventually to electricity. This electricity is then transformed to meet the grid’s voltage levels. The amount of power that can be generated from wind turbines generally depends on the size of the turbines and length of the blades, as well as wind speeds. Over the years, wind energy technologies have developed to accommodate much higher power ratings, and wind turbines have significantly grown in size.

Offshore wind

Offshore wind power refers to wind farms that stand within bodies of water, often in the ocean. Offshore wind speeds tend to be faster than on land and are also steadier, thus presenting a higher generation potential as well as a more reliable energy source. However, offshore wind farms are more expensive to build and maintain than onshore wind farms due to the difficulties of building robust turbines to withstand heavy winds in deep ocean waters.