The global offshore wind sector added 11 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity in 2024, marking a record year for installations despite industry-wide challenges, according to the latest Global Offshore Wind Report by the World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO).
A total of 31 new offshore wind farms were commissioned during the year, pushing global installed capacity to 78.5GW, the report found. The figure represents an increase from 2023, when 9.8GW of new capacity was brought online.
“The year 2024 marks another significant milestone in the global offshore wind journey,” said WFO Managing Director Gunnar Herzig. “Despite the challenges the industry is currently facing — such as supply chain bottlenecks and higher capital costs — we see that the global offshore wind growth accelerated.”
China continued to lead the market, accounting for 38GW of the total installed capacity, underlining its long-term commitment to expanding renewable energy generation. Other nations also recorded gains as they worked to diversify their energy systems and strengthen supply resilience.
The report also noted early progress in floating wind technology, highlighting the commissioning of France’s first floating offshore wind farm, Provence Grand Large, with a capacity of 25 megawatts (MW).
“The industry’s spirit of ambition, innovation, and resilience persists,” Herzig added. “At WFO, we embody this spirit by sharing insights, addressing challenges, and developing practical solutions through our various committees.”
WFO plans to continue fostering international collaboration in the sector, with its next Asia-Pacific Summit scheduled for July 2–3 in Tokyo and its third Global Summit set to take place in Barcelona in January 2026.
The report reflects growing momentum in the global energy transition, as governments and industry stakeholders accelerate efforts to meet climate goals while navigating economic and logistical headwinds.
