In 2024, the global wind energy sector set new records, installing around 117 GW of capacity despite supply chain issues, with China leading significantly, adding onshore wind dominance but seeing a dip in offshore growth. Key trends included record turbine volumes, larger rotors becoming standard, and growth in emerging markets like Brazil and Australia, while policy instability and costs posed challenges, especially for offshore projects. Total global capacity surpassed 1 TW, with projections aiming for nearly 2 TW by 2030.
In comparison, the global nuclear power saw only six reactors completed construction and were connected to the grid in 2024 with a total capacity of around 7 GW. Two of these were located in China, with the remaining four in the United Arab Emirates, France, India, and the United States.
If wind has a capacity factor of only 30% and nuclear has a capacity factor of 90%, then wind will generate 0.3 x 117 = 35.1GW and nuclear will generate 0.9 x 7 = 6.3 GW.