Wind Power

The 98 companies in the US use wind power to drive a turbine and produce electric energy, which is provided to electric power transmission systems or electric power distribution systems. Utility-scale turbines are generally defined as turbines that exceed 100KW in capacity, but typically range from 1.5 to 7.5MW. Wind energy accounts for about 10.3% of total US electricity generation and about 46.4% of electricity generation from renewable energy, according to the EIA.

“NIMBY” Opposition

Wind farms often face opposition from local residents concerned about noise, aesthetic impacts, and harm to bird populations.

Less Government Support

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 hastens the sunsetting of clean energy tax credits established through the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Sep 8, 2026 - California Sues Trump Administration over Wind Lease Cancelation

• California is suing the Trump administration and a wind project developer over an agreement that would cancel an offshore wind lease near Morro Bay and pay its developers $120 million, according to Utility Dive. The lawsuit alleges the administration deliberately weakened offshore wind lease values before offering developers payments to surrender them. Golden State Wind originally paid $150.3 million for the lease, which could support about 2 GW of capacity. California officials say the state has invested more than $100 million in offshore wind planning, ports, and transmission infrastructure, and could suffer financial and energy-planning setbacks if the lease is canceled. The administration has reached similar agreements involving offshore wind leases off the coasts of California, North Carolina, and New York.
• The US offshore wind industry could struggle to recover even after President Donald Trump leaves office because policy uncertainty has damaged investor confidence, according to Inside Climate News. Projections for US offshore wind growth have fallen 85% since Trump's reelection, while BloombergNEF cut its 2035 forecast from 39 gigawatts before the election to 5.9 gigawatts. The Trump administration also canceled 12 offshore wind leases between March and August, while developers have reported major losses and a reduction in US investment. Industry experts say a revival would require more predictable policies, streamlined permitting, shorter development timelines, and renewed investment in domestic supply chains. Without those changes, developers may favor markets in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere that offer greater regulatory stability and lower political risk.
• Wind turbine manufacturers are finding opportunities in the US despite federal policy uncertainty, tariffs, and disruptions to wind development, according to the Journal of Commerce. Vestas reported a 54% year-over-year increase in quarterly turbine orders, supported by US and onshore projects, while Germany's Nordex said its return to the US helped boost North American orders. Siemens Gamesa posted its first quarterly profit since 2022, although orders declined sharply. GE Vernova's wind orders fell 40% as offshore demand weakened, particularly in North America. However, the company sees potential in upgrading aging onshore wind farms, estimating 10 gigawatts of repowering opportunities in the US. Rising electricity demand could continue supporting turbine sales as states seek additional power sources, although permitting uncertainty and tariffs on steel and aluminum remain significant challenges.
• FMI's 2026 Energy and Power Overview says wind power is losing momentum as US renewable construction shifts toward solar and battery storage. Renewable and alternative generation is forecast to grow at an 8.7% compound annual rate from 2026 to 2030. Still, wind deployment is slowing because of regulatory uncertainty, weaker project economics, supply chain constraints, siting and permitting friction, and transportation challenges for large turbine components. Offshore wind is largely stalled in many regions, while onshore wind remains viable only in select markets. Wind additions fell to about 6 GW in 2025, well below the roughly 15 GW peak in 2020, with similar annual levels expected through 2030. Tighter tax credit timelines and persistent permitting delays could further complicate new wind development.

Industry size & Structure

The average wind electric power generator employs about 77 workers and generates about $82 million annually.

• The wind electric power generator industry consists of about 98 firms that employ about 7,600 workers and generate almost $8 billion annually.
• The industry is highly concentrated; the top eight companies account for 80% of industry revenue.
• Large firms include Clearway Energy, Energy Capital Partners, and Caithness Energy.
• Large owners of wind capacity include NextEra Energy, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Avangrid, and EDP.
• Wind energy accounts for about 10.3% of total US electricity generation and about 46.4% of electricity generation from renewable energy, according to the EIA.
• More than 76,000 wind turbines operate across 45 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico and represent more than 150,100 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity.
• Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois produced about 58% of total U.S. wind electricity generation in 2024.
• Alta Wind Energy Center in California is the world’s third-largest wind farm generating 1,550 MW of electricity. The first US commercial, utility-scale offshore wind farm – South Fork Wind off the coast of Montauk, New York – came online in 2024.