Global wind power: 4 things to know in H2 2026 and beyond

Cost inflation has been an issue for the global wind sector for several years, with geopolitical shocks exacerbating the problem. But while these issues haven’t gone away, the outlook for wind generation going forward looks somewhat more positive.

Drawing on unique data and insight from our Lens Wind platform, our Global wind power: mid-year review 2026 report assesses the global wind power market at the midpoint of 2026 and looks ahead to H2 2026 and beyond. Fill in the form for your free copy of the report, or read on for a short introduction to its key themes.

1. Falling European tender prices are driving the first wind turbine cost reductions this decade

Rising volumes and intensifying competition mean winning prices for onshore wind tenders are falling across leading European markets. For suppliers, this creates a tension between the pressure to deliver products at lower cost to help maintain margins and the need to invest in developing the next-generation of larger, more efficient turbines. Currently, 2026 is on track to deliver the first turbine cost reductions since 2020.

2. European wind tender market reforms will be tested in a packed 2026-27 calendar

Redesigned offshore wind tender frameworks are helping to restore investor confidence after a series of failed tenders in 2024-25. New models focus on contracts for difference (CfDs) that transfer risk from developers to governments, with durations of 20 years or more, new non-price criteria and supporting mechanisms such as the UK’s Clean Industry Bonus. A series of major tenders over the next eighteen months will put the effectiveness of these reforms to the test in the face of persistent cost pressures.

3. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan targets wind growth, but consumption and profitability will be key

The Chinese government’s Plan for Building a New Energy System sets a clear goal for wind and solar to exceed 50% of installed capacity by 2030. While offshore wind faces challenges, onshore wind is booming. However, sustaining that pace will depend on securing credible routes to consumption. At the same time, with power prices fully exposed to market trading and mechanism prices falling, developer returns will increasingly depend on trading exposure and storage dispatch rather than sheer volume built.

3. Despite repowering growth, mature markets face an ageing, inefficient turbine fleet

Outside of China, the decommissioning backlog in mature wind markets means an ageing and obsolete turbine fleet will occupy many prime generating sites well into the next decade. Advanced operations and maintenance, favourable power prices, high decommissioning and repowering costs and limited policy incentives weaken the case for replacing older turbines. However, overall fleet efficiency is set to improve as the pace of repowering slowly accelerates, with sites boasting the best wind resources and grid access delivering the greatest gains.

Now fill out the form to download your free copy of the report, which explores these topics in more detail and includes a range of supporting data.