Germany and Europe at half-throttle
Across the onshore and offshore segments, the current survey draws a generally positive but significantly weaker overall picture. Germany and Europe have lost much of the momentum seen in the previous survey. Several market and condition indicators are falling behind noticeably, with some ratings barely remaining in the positive or neutral range.
Assessments of Europe in general remain positive overall while showing a marked decline for both, the onshore and offshore segments. The survey results clearly indicate that the industry, while still expecting some growth, is seeing the current set of conditions in a more critical light.
Asia still the front-runner; North America at rock-bottom
Among all regions studied, Asia continues to receive the best marks. Compared with the previous survey, however, even Asia’s expectations are weakening conspicuously. The Rest of the World remains positive, as well while showing significantly weaker ratings than at the end of 2025.
North America is the obvious negative outlier. Assessments for nearly all segments surveyed are below the neutral index value. Especially the changed energy and environmental policies are seen as an impediment to the wind energy industry’s future development across the region.
Business environment the key challenge
The survey results show that setting political goals alone is not sufficient to provide the momentum needed for the expansion of wind energy. In particular, the responses reveal that smooth permitting procedures, grid development, investment security and supply chain resilience are fundamental prerequisites for successful markets. As before, the current status of these factors is identified as the most important obstacle holding back the expansion of wind energy.
Turbine size predictions are stabilising
Expectations for the rated output of newly installed wind turbines by 2030 have largely stabilised compared to past surveys. Respondents continue to expect an average output rating of around 8.3 megawatts per onshore unit. In the offshore segment, the expected average output has settled in at around 19.1 megawatts, slightly less than in recent surveys.
While expectations for turbine sizes had seen strong increases in the past, they are now levelling off. The industry is increasingly focusing on unit sizes that are economically feasible and technically proven.
Regional value chains moving into focus
The survey also addressed expectations for the ratio between domestic and continental value-add. The domestic value chains in Asia and Europe are receiving much better marks than those in North America and the rest of the world. In Germany, the survey result shows an almost perfect balance between expected domestic and international value-add.
These results highlight the growing importance of regional supply chains and local value-add for the competitiveness of the wind industry.
Broad participation by representatives of all stages of the value chain
A total of 718 respondents took part in the current survey between mid-March and early May 2026. 399 respondents answered the entire or nearly the entire questionnaire. Again the respondents represent a broad spectrum of segments in the wind energy value chain, ensuring that the results are representative of the global onshore and offshore wind industry.
Press material and figures for download: https://hmc.canto.de/b/T60CN
