Is Wind Energy Primed For Expansion?

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Written by Daniel Graeber for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Democrats said they want to do more with renewable energy when they take power over the U.S. Congress in January. The wind energy market is on pace for a 5% expansion and already ranks second in the world, behind China. Europe, meanwhile, will serve as a benchmark for wind futures.

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Democrats to Prioritize Clean Energy

A change in power in the halls of the U.S. Congress may see a stronger push for renewables, with wind energy in the U.S. market already on pace to increase by nearly 5% from 2026 levels.

The federal U.S. government expects total wind energy to account for 498.1 billion kilowatt-hours this year, expanding some 5% by next year even as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to throw his support behind fossil fuels.

Industrial Info is tracking dozens of grassroots projects in the U.S. market. Xcel Energy and the Public Service Company of Colorado are planning to launch the Singing Grass Wind Farm by 2027. If built as planned, the plant would provide more than 600 megawatts (MW) of power to the state grid by August.

In Texas, which has the largest wind-energy footprint in the nation, Canadian energy company Enbridge is planning to provide 152 MW of power from its Easter Wind Farm by March. Texas leads the way in U.S. wind energy, with about a quarter of the nation's total.

Democrats may try to do more in January when they take control of both chambers of Congress. However, President Trump still holds veto power over Congress and he is considered highly unlikely to sign legislation supporting wind energy.

"We will advance policies that lower costs, expand access to quality and affordable health care, protect consumers and the environment, prioritize clean energy, and rein in Big Tech," said Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., the current ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Democrats could prioritize clean energy programs by working to reinstate clean-energy tax credits that were phased out by the Republican led or dust-off other incentives. Still, the United States ranks second in the world, behind China, in terms of wind energy. Germany ranks third.

Europe Gets Its Own Lift

Germany got a lift on Monday when GE Vernova said it would deliver three onshore wind turbines that could account for 5.5 MW each to German energy company Stadtwerke Heidenheim AG for its Schlotberg-Jüchsen wind farm.

"Our continued investment in Salzbergen reinforces our dedication to a robust, local supply chain, aiming to help ensure that Germany's energy goals are supported by reliable, industrialized 'Made in Germany' technology," said Marcas Breatnach, the regional sales leader for GE Vernova.

Elsewhere, the company expects to spend $9 billion to acquire German energy Trench Group GmbH from private equity firm Triton Partners. GE Vernova's wind-energy business contributed $72 million to companywide earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), marking a return to profitability during the third quarter.

The company cited improved services margins for onshore wind-energy projects and lower costs associated with offshore projects.

Also in the European market, pricing agency Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced plans to launch wind energy futures based on output from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Those countries account for more than 70% of the installed wind energy capacity in Europe.

"Wind volume is now a significant part of the power sector, and customers want a way to manage it alongside what they already trade with us," said Gordon Bennett, the managing director for utility markets at ICE.

Wind volume is in pace to increase. The International Energy Agency said in a report published last week that onshore wind is on pace to increase 1.7-fold by 2031. Permitting reforms are expected to incentivize the wind energy sector in Europe, but growth looks sluggish elsewhere.

"Growth is declining in the United States due to the phaseout of tax incentives, while rising curtailment in markets such as Brazil and Chile is adversely affecting project economics and

slowing expansion in Latin America," the report read.

The Trump administration has thwarted offshore wind energy development, forking over billions of dollars in some cases to convince companies to forfeit their leases.

Key Takeaways

• Despite political rhetoric, U.S. wind energy is expanding
• The IEA expects those trends to develop globally.

By the Numbers

• 5% increase in power from U.S. wind sources by 2027
• $72 million in EBIDTDA for GE Vernova came from its wind energy portfolio

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Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).