2019 global wind turbine order intake off to record-breaking start

Global wind turbine order intake increased 7% YoY in Q1 2019, eclipsing the previous record seen in Q1 2018 for capacity in the quarter by 875MW, according to new research from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables.

The Wood Mackenzie report, 'Global Wind Turbine Order Analysis: Q2 2019', revealed that a strong order intake in China and the Americas more than offset a nearly 20% decrease in firm order capacity YoY in EMEARC in in Q1 2019.

Developers in China, Latin America and North America collectively ordered 3.1GW more capacity YoY in Q1, which boosted a combined 2GW less capacity ordered in Europe, APAC, the Middle East and Africa - where procurement decisions have been impacted by regulatory transitions.

Chinese OEMs in pole  position

"China’s offshore market yielded a 66% increase YoY in global offshore order capacity, with a record Q1 demand - 1.7GW of firm orders - seen in 2019.

"Five Chinese OEMs each won 300MW+ of offshore orders in China as pressure mounts to comply with provincial grid-connection targets in China for offshore. This resulted in Chinese OEMs accounting for 77% of all offshore capacity ordered globally.

"Offshore order intake in Europe decreased 55% YoY in Q1 2019 and consisted primarily of a single 487MW order for a project in Belgium. Nonetheless, global offshore order intake exceeded 2GW for just the third time, with more than 10GW ordered from Q1 2018 through Q1 2019," said Luke Lewandowski, Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables Director.

As noted in the report, order intake in the 4.0-4.99MW segment increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, with 500MW+ ordered in the U.S., China and Brazil. The Vestas V150-4.X and Siemens SG 4.5-145 models recorded the most order capacity, respectively, in Q1, with Nordex’s N149/4X00 also in the top 10 ranking for onshore turbine models.

Vestas continues success

"Vestas won the largest share of orders for the fourth straight quarter, continuing its success in multiple rating segments.

"The V150-4.X and V120-2.2 turbines both ranked in the top 5 onshore turbine models ordered in Q1, as Vestas won more than 500MW of orders in North America, Latin America and APAC.

"Vestas was the the only turbine OEM to have two models in the top 10 ranking for onshore turbine models, other than CRRC in China. Additionally, Vestas was the only Western OEM in the top 5 in Q1 in APAC, recording the most geographically diverse intake with orders for projects in 6 countries," added Mr. Lewandowski.

According to Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables' research, 5 Chinese OEMs ranked in the top 10 globally for order intake capacity in Q1 - including SEwind’s  W2XX0-146 and Goldwind’s GW140/2500 models placing in the top 5 - benefitting from increasing demand in China’s offshore wind sector.