Europe’s wind energy sector recorded 5.8 GW of new turbine orders in the first quarter of 2026, according to WindEurope data. The figure reflects continued investment activity despite a moderate slowdown versus earlier periods.
United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey lead Q1 order volumes
A large share of the new orders came from the United Kingdom, where offshore wind projects accounted for 2.8 GW. The UK led all European markets with nearly 2.9 GW of total turbine orders. Germany followed with 1.4 GW, while Turkey recorded 390 MW.
Although overall ordering remained solid, market activity eased compared with earlier benchmarks. Total contracted capacity was 20% lower than in the final quarter of 2025. It was also 4% below the level recorded in the same quarter a year earlier.
Strong offshore activity in the UK contributed to the highest level of ordering seen in the past five quarters. This supported overall market momentum during the quarter.
Contracted projects and disclosed capacity
In Q1 2026, 71 wind farm projects secured firm turbine supply agreements. Germany accounted for more than half of all contracted projects during the period. Of the total capacity ordered, 5.5 GW was publicly disclosed.
Turbine suppliers and shift to larger unit sizes
Vestas held a dominant position in Europe, capturing around 60% of all announced orders. Nordex followed with a 32% share. Enercon, Goldwind, GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and EWT together made up the remaining market share.
The average size of onshore wind turbines ordered reached a record 6.4 MW, the highest level in five quarters. Offshore turbines averaged 15 MW. This reflected an ongoing shift toward higher-capacity equipment across both segments.
Operation and maintenance contracts remain prominent
Service agreements continued to be central to procurement strategies for new orders. Around 87% of ordered capacity included operation and maintenance contracts. Projects totaling 1.2 GW included long-term maintenance arrangements extending for at least 20 years.
Turbine ordering activity softened compared with late 2025, while offshore investment remained a key support for the European wind sector. The order mix also continued to reflect a move toward larger and more advanced turbine technologies.
