The numbers behind the world's fastest-growing energy source - from global capacity and UK leadership to jobs, savings, and environmental benefits.
Global installed wind capacity
Countries with wind installations
UK installed wind capacity
Jobs in wind energy worldwide
Wind energy has grown into a major global power source, with capacity doubling roughly every five years across more than 130 countries.
Global wind capacity surpassed 1,000 GW in 2023, enough to power hundreds of millions of homes and offset billions of tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.
Over 100 GW of new wind capacity is being added each year, driven by falling costs, supportive policies, and growing demand for clean electricity worldwide.
China holds the largest share of global wind capacity at over 400 GW, followed by the United States, Germany, India, and Spain as major wind energy producers.
The UK is one of the world's leading wind energy nations, with ambitious offshore targets and a growing onshore fleet.
The UK has over 29 GW of installed wind capacity split between onshore and offshore farms, making wind the country's largest source of renewable electricity.
The UK ranks among the top countries for offshore wind, with major wind farms in the North Sea generating clean power for millions of British households.
The UK government aims to reach 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as part of its net-zero strategy, creating thousands of jobs and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Wind turbines produce electricity with zero direct emissions, conserving water and reducing the pollution that drives climate change.
Wind turbines generate electricity without burning fuel. A single large turbine can prevent over 2,000 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to fossil fuel generation.
Unlike coal, gas, and nuclear plants, wind turbines require virtually no water to operate - a critical advantage as freshwater resources become increasingly scarce.
Wind farms use less than 1% of total land area for foundations and roads. The remaining land can be used for agriculture, grazing, or natural habitat.
Wind energy drives investment, creates skilled jobs, and delivers affordable electricity while reducing dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.
The global wind industry supports over 1.4 million jobs in manufacturing, installation, operations, and maintenance - with employment growing year on year.
Onshore wind is now one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation in most countries, often beating coal, gas, and even solar on a per-kilowatt-hour basis.
Wind farms generate income for local communities through land lease payments, business rates, and community benefit funds that support schools, roads, and services.
Modern turbines are engineering marvels - taller, more efficient, and more reliable than ever, capturing energy from winds once considered too light to harness.
The latest offshore turbines exceed 15 MW in capacity, with rotor diameters over 230 metres. A single rotation can power a home for more than a day.
Modern wind turbines are designed to operate for 25 to 30 years with regular maintenance. Many components can be recycled or repurposed at end of life.
Top offshore wind sites achieve capacity factors above 50%, meaning they generate power more than half the time - comparable to many conventional power plants.