Global offshore wind reached 89.2 GW of installed capacity in 2025 as developers navigated an increasingly complex landscape of regional opportunities and policy frameworks and in the context of political and economic turbulence.
China led with 6 GW commissioned - its fifth consecutive year delivering over half of global additions - bringing its share to 52% of worldwide capacity. The UK (1.3 GW), Taiwan (935 MW), Germany (253 MW), South Korea (200 MW) and France (25 MW) rounded out the year's additions.
This report examines offshore wind trends across 31 countries, covering their regulatory frameworks, auction timelines and project developments shaping the industry's future.
Asia-Pacific continues to grow
With significant capacity expected to be auctioned in 2026, the region's momentum continues. Key developments in Asia-Pacific during 2025 included:
- Taiwan continued to lead the way with 20 projects awarded with grid capacity and seven operational offshore windfarms.
- South Korea accelerated its offshore wind ambitions by enacting the dedicated "OSW Promotion Act" and awarded a further 689 MW of capacity through competitive auctions. 2026 should see further projects reach financial close.
- The Philippines launched its first auction dedicated to offshore wind (GEA-5), which will award 3.3 GW of capacity in 2026.
- India advanced its early steps toward its 37 GW of offshore capacity target for 2030, building on its 52 GW of installed onshore wind capacity.
- Vietnam established new offshore wind regulations, enabling corporate PPA frameworks and regional pricing structures, replacing the discontinued Feed-in-Tariff regime.
Europe and the Americas in transition
Activity across Europe and the Americas advanced at varying speeds in 2025.
Europe:
- The North Sea Summit (a meeting between the UK and European governments and industry leaders focused on offshore wind collaboration) brought together leaders to reaffirm their commitment to offshore wind emphasizing its crucial role in strengthening the UK and Europe’s energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and driving down costs through regional cooperation and innovation.
- UK awarded CfDs for 8.4 GW of offshore wind (fixed and floating) in its latest allocation round, exceeding the previous record of 7 GW.
- Netherlands adjusted its 2040 target while vowing to introduce CfD instruments and other supportive measures for future projects.
- Belgium advanced its second offshore wind phase, targeting 5.8 GW total capacity by 2030.
- France awarded two 250 MW floating projects in the Mediterranean and a 1.5 GW fixed-bottom project off Normandy, France's largest renewable energy project to date.
- Germany brought two 900+ MW projects into operation while RWE and Total Energies submitted plans for 4 GW of new capacity, though rising costs led to the sector’s first zero-bid auction. Looking ahead, Germany is set to advance to a CfD regime to re-ignite investment in the sector.
Americas:
- U.S. faced regulatory uncertainty following policy changes, though project financing continued on certain projects.
- Brazil’s offshore wind law took effect, establishing a regulatory framework for seabed rights.
- Colombia relaunched its second offshore wind tender after limited participation in the first round.
- Uruguay developed its H2U Offshore program linking offshore wind to green hydrogen exports.
In This Report
Our report details market-specific regulatory frameworks, licensing and permitting requirements, and gives investors, developers and other market participants information on:
- Energy innovation goals, incentive schemes and auction and tender rounds
- Project overviews across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas
- Grid connections, green hydrogen opportunities and broader market trends
We cover global developments, from offshore wind pioneers like Denmark to development leaders like the United Kingdom to more recent market entrants like Colombia, Vietnam and Philippines.
Orrick’s Global Offshore Wind Practice
Our global offshore wind team advises on projects across Asia, Europe and the Americas, handling development, construction, M&A, partnerships, financing, tax and regulatory matters across the full project lifecycle.