Wind energy remains one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable power in the U.S., generating 9% of the nation’s electricity in 2024, reinforcing its rapid expansion within the clean energy sector.
The Present: Record Growth
In 2024, according to Climate Central, the U.S. generated a record 453,454 GWh of wind electricity, an 8% increase from 2023, marking the highest level of wind generation to date and providing enough electricity to power 42 million homes.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2024, the U.S. had an installed wind capacity of 150,492 MW on land and 80,523 MW offshore. Texas led wind generation, producing 28% of all U.S. wind power, nearly three times more than Iowa, the next largest wind-producing state.
As of May 22, 2025, the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) recorded 76,051 wind turbines spread across 45 states, including Guam and Puerto Rico.
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The Past: 2023 Decline
Wind energy experienced a temporary setback in 2023, due to a combination of weather patterns, installation delays, and supply chain challenges.
Why Did Wind Energy Decline From 2022 to 2023?
- Lower Wind Speeds: 2022 had unusually high wind speeds, while 2023 saw a 14% drop in wind generation due to below-average conditions
- Fewer Weather Fronts: The Midwest had fewer warm and cold fronts, reducing wind activity
- Supply Chain Issues: Onshore wind turbine construction faced delays due to parts shortages and permitting challenges
- Installation Delays: Fewer wind turbines were installed in 2023 compared to 2022
- Offshore Wind Setbacks: Rising material costs slowed offshore wind installations
Despite this dip, experts remain optimistic. “There’s no reason to overreact to a one-year blip,” said Daniel Cohan, an environmental engineering professor at Rice University. “Renewable electricity is still on pace to more than double by the end of the decade.”
How Does a Wind Turbine Work?
The wind turbine’s blades use the aerodynamic force of the wind to turn a rotor, sending kinetic energy to a generator that transforms it into electrical energy. The electrical energy is then passed through a transformer which raises its voltage to match the standard voltage used by the national power grid, allowing it to be efficiently transmitted over long distances through power lines to power a home or business.
What are the Differences Between Onshore and Offshore Wind Farms?
Onshore Wind Farms
Most of the wind energy in the U.S. is produced onshore, in the middle of the country. Wind turbines are installed on land in areas with high wind speeds, usually in fields or more rural areas where buildings and obstacles don't interrupt the air flow. Land-based wind turbines range in size from 100 kW to over 1,000 kW. Larger wind turbines are more cost effective when grouped together into wind plants, commonly called wind farms, and provide bulk power to the electrical grid.
A Quick Look at Onshore Wind Power
- Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, California, North Dakota, and Colorado are the top 10 states generating electricity from wind, according to Choose Energy
- Texas has 19,175 active wind turbines, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Wind Turbine Database. Texas has more active wind turbines than the next three states combined: Iowa – 6,475, Oklahoma – 5,564, and California – 5,510
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Offshore Wind Farms
U.S. offshore wind farms are being developed at sea, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Offshore wind currently makes up a small portion of the national electricity mix, but it has the potential to grow substantially in the coming decades due to powerful ocean winds that generate a vast amount of energy.
A Quick Look at Offshore Wind Power
- The U.S. offshore wind pipeline grew 53% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 80,523 MW
- Over $2.1 billion was invested in ports, vessels, supply chains, and transmission infrastructure
- The South Fork Wind Farm, the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S., began delivering power to New York in March 2024
- 13 states have policies supporting a total of 115,130 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2050
Learn more about offshore wind in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Offshore Wind Market Report: 2024 Edition.
How Are Wind Turbines Constructed?
A wind turbine is a complex system with roughly 8,000 parts, taking about six months to assemble. The blades stretch over 300 feet, while towers stand around 308 feet high. Engineers optimize each wind farm using specialized software, considering factors like wind speed, tower height, blade length, and generator capacity. Tools, such as Openwind help design layouts that maximize energy production, minimize energy losses, account for plant development costs, and generate overall project efficiencies.
The construction process of a wind turbine is complicated and requires both coordination and precision. The major components of a wind turbine, including the foundation, tower, nacelle, rotor, hub, blades, and control systems are prefabricated and then transported to the site. The tower sections are erected, and the nacelle with blades are lifted and placed on top of the tower. Last, the utility box and electrical systems are installed.
Wind turbines have a lifespan of approximately 20-25 years, and advancements in technology and materials have improved their durability and efficiency.
What are the Components of a Wind Turbine?
The foundation: This is a large, heavy structural block of concrete in the ground that supports the entire turbine and the forces acting on it. The concrete foundation for a land-based turbine can weigh between 600 and 1,000 tons. Monopile foundations, weighing approximately 1,500 tons are the most common foundation used for offshore wind turbines because they are cost-effective, have a small footprint on the seabed, and are easy to transition from onshore to offshore.
The tower: The tower provides structural support for the turbine, is usually made of steel or concrete, and has three sections. The tower height varies, but it is generally the same as the diameter of the circle that the blades create when they spin. The tower also contains the power cables that connect the nacelle to the transformer on the ground. Turbine towers average over 320 feet tall.
The nacelle: The nacelle is a box-like housing that sits on top of a wind turbine's tower and contains the components that convert wind's kinetic energy into electrical energy. The nacelle contains all the generating components in a wind turbine, including the generator, gearbox, drive train, and brake assembly.
The rotor, blades, and hub: The rotor is the rotating part of the turbine; it consists of three blades and the hub, which connects them. The blades are designed to capture the wind's kinetic energy and convert it to mechanical power. Wind turbine blades are typically made from a composite of fiberglass, epoxy, and balsa wood. Small turbines have blades that are 120–215 ft long, while large turbines have blades that are 280 ft long. The hub holds the blades in place and allows them to rotate relative to the rest of the turbine.
Wind turbines are assembled in a series of steps that require careful planning and execution. Prior to assembly, manufacturers can verify that the dimensions of prefabricated wind turbine components are constructed in tolerance to the design drawings to minimize installation and performance problems.
GPRS partnered with two renewable energy companies constructing an offshore wind farm to verify that the prefabricated components of several wind turbines meet the design requirements specified. 3D laser scanning captured the exact dimensions of the components with 2-4 mm accuracy. Component verification eliminated assembly and performance problems and saved re-work, delays, and costs. Read this case study to see how 3D laser scanning verified that the prefabricated components of a wind turbine met the specified design requirements.
The Future: Three Key Trends in the Wind Energy Industry
Wind energy is evolving rapidly, with several emerging trends shaping its future:
1. Increase in Offshore Wind Farms
Offshore wind farms, with their stronger and more consistent winds, are expected to grow due to advancements in turbine technology and policies, such as the Floating Offshore Wind Shot, to provide power to highly populated coastal cities.
2. Larger Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are becoming larger, with rotor diameters and tower heights increasing to capture more wind and generate more power.
- Onshore: The average hub height for land-based turbines has increased from 98 ft in 1990 to 339 ft in 2023, now taller than the Statue of Liberty.
- Offshore: The average hub height for offshore wind turbines in the United States is projected to grow from 328 ft in 2016 to 495 ft in 2035, or about the height of the Washington Monument.
3. Advances in Technology
- Repowering: Aging turbines are being upgraded with new rotors and drive trains to boost efficiency and increase capacity.
- Blades: Turbine blades are evolving, incorporating lighter, stronger materials like carbon fiber for improved aerodynamics and greater energy capture.
- Battery Storage & Grid Integration: Large-scale battery systems are being deployed to store wind energy, helping manage supply fluctuations and integrate more smoothly into the grid.
- AI Optimization: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being used to enhance wind farm operations and reduce maintenance costs.
- Drones & Robotics: Automated inspections via drones and robotics are improving efficiency by quickly detecting blade damage and mechanical wear.
What is the Future of the Wind Industry?
Many U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs support wind energy research, development, and deployment – which will continue to drive innovation in turbine technology and support small and large-scale wind projects.
The DOE allocated $137 million in 2024 fiscal year funds for wind energy technologies. Of that amount, $48.6 million was allocated to projects that address several major areas in need of offshore wind.
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) supported wind turbine development by increasing tax credits for wind energy projects. Data from the DOE shows that onshore wind manufacturers have announced the expansion of 15 U.S. facilities since offering these tax credits. These facilities produce the key components including towers, nacelles, and blades.
As support and technology for wind energy generation increases, output is expected to grow to 476,000 GWh by the end of 2025. Forecasts for wind deployment are expected to grow to an average of 15 GW/year from 2026 through 2028.
Don’t underestimate the power of the wind. Change is constant and growth is inevitable.
