Wind power: 7 things to look for in 2026

The wind industry is on track for a record-breaking 2025, with global wind capacity additions expected to reach 170 GW for the year. The bar is set high going into the new year – but can the wind industry maintain its momentum? 

Drawing on unique insight from Lens Wind, our global wind experts have made their predictions for the key themes to watch in Wind power: what to look for in 2026. The report examines seven themes we’ll be tracking closely, from policy reforms to capex stabilisation, offshore wind tender and supply chain challenges, growing impacts of the ageing fleet and the transition to more market-based competition. It provides insights for near-term disruptions that signal deeper structural shifts and changes in competitive dynamics. 

Fill in the form to get your complimentary copy – and read on for a brief introduction. 

How will 2026 wind additions compare with a record-breaking 2025? 

We forecast that developers will connect 160 GW of wind projects globally in 2026. That corresponds to a 6% fall compared with our preliminary numbers for 2025. A year-on-year decline in China, due to the end of its 14th Five-Year Plan, is expected to be the single largest factor behind this slowdown. However, the rest of the world is poised for an increase.  

To find out where the growth hotspots will be – and why this could be a breakout year for offshore wind additions – fill in the form to read the full report.  

Policy will curb wind’s buildout in the US, but how will rising power demand impact policy? 

US wind power at a crossroads in 2026, facing policy deadlines, tariff pressures and shifting market dynamics. The July 2026 production tax credit (PTC) deadline creates urgent procurement pressure amid uncertainty over tariffs and permitting bottlenecks. Rising power demand could become a critical enabler, compelling policymakers to strike a balance between restrictive measures and the need for capacity expansion. 

For more of our view on how current US energy policy and surging data centre-fuelled power demand will impact the wind industry, fill in the form to read the full report.  

Also in Wind power: what to look for in 2026... 

Will the next generation of offshore wind tenders reignite the sector? What will offshore wind’s role be in China’s new liberalised power market? How will the industry handle the ageing wind fleet, and how will it impact power markets? Where will capex for wind energy go in 2026? And how will wind power fare in a world where developers take on more market price risk? 

Read our view in the full report. Fill in the form at the top of the page to get your copy.