The latest edition of the WindEnergy trend:index (WEtix) shows lower ratings across most segments compared with the previous survey conducted in the fourth quarter of 2025. While the wind industry's outlook for market development remains generally positive, assessments of current market momentum are noticeably more cautious than six months ago.
Asia continues to receive the strongest ratings, although sentiment has weakened there as well. Several onshore and offshore indicators for Germany and Europe are only slightly above the neutral index level. North America remains the weakest-performing region, with negative responses across nearly all survey categories.
Across both the onshore and offshore sectors, the survey presents a broadly positive but weaker overall picture. Germany and Europe have lost much of the momentum seen in the previous survey, with several market and framework condition indicators declining significantly. Some ratings now sit only marginally above neutral.
Although perceptions of Europe remain positive overall, results for both onshore and offshore wind show a clear decline. The findings suggest that while the industry still expects growth, it is becoming more critical of current market conditions.
Asia remains the highest-rated region in the survey, but expectations have weakened considerably compared with the previous edition. The Rest of the World also continues to receive positive ratings, although sentiment is significantly lower than at the end of 2025.
North America stands out as the only clearly negative region. Ratings for almost all surveyed segments are below the neutral index level. Respondents identified recent changes in energy and environmental policies as a key challenge for the future development of the wind sector in the region.
The survey highlights that political targets alone are not enough to drive wind energy expansion. Respondents identified efficient permitting procedures, grid development, investment certainty and resilient supply chains as essential requirements for market growth. As in previous surveys, shortcomings in these areas were cited as the main barriers to further expansion.
Expectations for the capacity of newly installed wind turbines by 2030 have largely stabilised. Respondents continue to expect average onshore turbine ratings of around 8.3 MW. In the offshore sector, the expected average turbine rating has settled at around 19.1 MW, slightly lower than in recent surveys.
After years of rapid growth in expected turbine sizes, the trend now appears to be levelling off. The industry is increasingly focusing on turbine ratings that are both technically proven and economically viable.
The survey also examined expectations regarding domestic and continental value creation. Domestic supply chains in Asia and Europe received stronger ratings than those in North America and the Rest of the World. In Germany, respondents expect an almost equal balance between domestic and international value creation.
The results underline the growing importance of regional supply chains and local value creation for the competitiveness of the wind industry.
The WindEnergy trend:index, a mood barometer for the wind industry, is jointly compiled by WindEnergy Hamburg and wind:research.
