Onshore-led growth and offshore contribution
Onshore wind farms are expected to represent the majority of new wind capacity additions in Europe over the remainder of the decade. Industry forecasts indicate that Europe could add around 151 GW of new wind capacity between 2026 and 2030. Of that total, approximately 117 GW is projected to come from onshore projects, while offshore developments are expected to contribute the remaining 34 GW.
The European Union is projected to lead the expansion, with around 112 GW of new capacity expected across the EU by the end of the decade. Annual installations are forecast to average about 22 GW within the EU and approximately 30 GW across Europe as a whole. The figures point to a steady build-out with higher annual volumes over time.
Total installed capacity outlook for 2030
If the projections materialize, total installed wind capacity in Europe could reach approximately 439 GW by 2030. That would include about 366 GW of onshore capacity and 73 GW offshore. The scale of additions would increase wind’s share within the European electricity system.
The industry is also preparing for a period of turbine retirements alongside new build. Around 16 GW of existing wind capacity is expected to be retired between 2026 and 2030. Roughly half of that volume is likely to be repowered with newer turbines, while the remainder is expected to be permanently decommissioned.
Repowering shift and turbine size changes
Repowering is gaining importance as newer turbine generations are described as larger and more efficient than earlier designs. New offshore turbines now average around 10.7 MW per unit. New onshore installations average approximately 5.2 MW, reflecting differences in typical unit ratings by technology.
This change in turbine scale aligns with the forecast mix of repowering versus decommissioning during 2026-2030. The industry’s planning for both new installations and end-of-life assets is tied to these technology characteristics.
