The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has released its latest Global Offshore Wind Report for 2026, setting out an eight-point action plan aimed at accelerating project delivery and securing investment in a market facing mounting geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The report shows that 9.3 GW of offshore wind capacity was added globally in 2025, the third-strongest year on record, bringing total installed capacity to 92.5 GW. More than 50 GW is currently under construction, with annual installations expected to double in 2026 and exceed 50 GW per year by 2035.
According to GWEC, the sector is entering a phase of rapid expansion, with a projected 327 GW of new capacity to be added by 2035. China maintained its dominant position, installing 6.6 GW in 2025, while Europe contributed close to 2 GW, led by the UK, Germany and France.
However, GWEC highlights a widening gap between ambition and delivery. Auction volumes fell sharply in 2025 to 11.4 GW, while around 25 GW of consented projects outside China remain stalled awaiting final investment decisions. Key barriers include grid constraints, slow permitting, supply chain limitations and uncertainty around revenue support mechanisms such as contracts for difference.
GWEC Deputy CEO Rebecca Williams said offshore wind is increasingly viewed as strategic infrastructure, particularly as countries seek to reduce exposure to volatile imported fuels. The report argues that prioritising offshore wind within national planning frameworks, alongside coordinated grid and port development, would reduce project risk and financing costs.
The action plan calls for faster permitting, more predictable auction design, stronger government–industry coordination and targeted investment in supply chains. It also emphasises the role of offshore wind in supporting industrial electrification and long-term energy security, as markets including the UK, EU and key Asia-Pacific economies accelerate deployment targets.
The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.gwec.net/reports/globaloffshorewindreport
