As icy winds sweep across vast landscapes, they no longer represent just a natural phenomenon but have become a powerful driver for renewable energy development. China's wind power industry is entering a new phase of growth opportunities, with analysts predicting significant capacity expansion in the coming years.
According to a recent research report from CICC, China's new wind power installations are expected to experience substantial growth in 2026 following a significant increase in grid-connected capacity in 2025. Investors are advised to focus on complete turbine manufacturing and export-capable segments of the supply chain.
Record Growth in Wind Power Capacity
Data from China's National Energy Administration reveals that by the end of 2025, the country's cumulative installed wind power capacity reached 640 GW. The annual newly grid-connected capacity surged to 119.87 GW in 2025, marking a remarkable 50.2% year-on-year increase. This growth primarily resulted from concentrated commissioning of large-scale wind power bases and accelerated installation schedules as projects raced to meet targets during the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan.
Industry experts note that actual turbine installations typically slightly exceed grid-connected capacity. Market consensus maintains that China's new turbine installations in 2025 likely fell within the 120-130 GW range.
Optimistic Projections for 2026-2028
The China Wind Energy Association (CWEA) released an encouraging industry forecast on January 24, projecting national new wind power installations to reach approximately 120 GW in 2026, with stable levels maintained through 2027-2028. This forecast establishes a clear demand baseline for the industry. With accelerated construction of onshore wind power bases and faster development of offshore wind projects, actual installation volumes may exceed expectations.
Growing Global Competitiveness
Chinese wind turbines are demonstrating increasing competitiveness in international markets. By the end of 2025, cumulative exports of Chinese wind turbines (excluding locally produced and sold units overseas) surpassed 28 GW. Export volume in 2025 alone exceeded 7.2 GW, representing year-on-year growth of over 38%, making exports a significant growth driver for the industry.
Key Investment Opportunities
CICC's analysis highlights three primary investment focus areas:
- Complete turbine manufacturing: Expected to see marked improvements in profitability across the sector.
- Export-oriented segments: Particularly monopiles, submarine cables, and complete turbine equipment, which stand to benefit from accelerating order fulfillment in European offshore wind projects.
- Domestic offshore wind supporting infrastructure: Significant growth potential exists as offshore wind projects continue to advance.
Investors should remain mindful of potential risks including installation volumes falling below projections, intensified industry competition compressing profit margins, and challenges in overseas market expansion. While the wind power sector continues its rapid development, prudent risk assessment remains essential for capitalizing on opportunities and achieving long-term value.