Wind Power NAICS 221115
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Industry Summary
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).
Recent Developments
Jul 7, 2026 - Wind Development Slows Amid Mounting 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.
- Wind and solar developers have safe-harbored a large pipeline of projects ahead of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's July 4, 2026, deadline to qualify for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, according to Utility Dive. Tax-credit marketplace operator Crux estimated in February that 170 GW of projects had been safe-harbored, a total that industry experts said has likely grown since then. Projects that miss the deadline will struggle to qualify before an end-of-2027 placed-in-service cutoff, which could push future power purchase agreement prices (PPA) higher as developers seek to offset the loss of tax credits. Camelot Energy Group estimated that a 200-MW solar project without a 30% investment tax credit would require PPA pricing in the mid-to-high $60s per megawatt-hour, about 50% above a tax-advantaged project.
- OffshoreWIND.biz reports that the US Department of the Interior reached a settlement with Duke Energy to terminate the utility's offshore wind lease in the Carolina Long Bay area. As part of the deal, Duke agreed to reinvest $129 million in alternative power generation and grid infrastructure in the Carolinas. The lease was one of two Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) auctioned in 2022, and the other, held by TotalEnergies, was canceled earlier this year. Duke's agreement is the Trump administration's fourth offshore wind lease buyout this year, following settlements with TotalEnergies, Ocean Winds-led ventures, and Invenergy. Together, the deals total about $2.7 billion.
- Republican lawmakers introduced the American Energy Dominance Act to restore clean energy tax credits reduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to Utility Dive. The move could stabilize the wind power industry by extending key incentives and easing project timelines. The bill would remove accelerated deadlines for the 45Y production and 48E investment tax credits, which are critical for wind developers, and reinstate other provisions affecting energy projects. Industry groups warn that shortened timelines have already contributed to $34.8 billion in canceled clean energy investments in 2025, slowing growth and increasing risk for large-scale wind projects. While analysts say the bill is unlikely to advance in the current Congress, it could gain support after the 2026 elections, offering potential relief for wind energy manufacturers, developers, and related supply chains.
Industry Revenue
Wind Power
Industry Structure
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.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Wind Power Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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