WIND ENERGY

v. 10, n. 415, dezembro, 2025

Abstract

As of December 2024, global installed wind generation capacity reached 1,133 GW, comprising 1,053 GW onshore and 79 GW offshore. Brazil plays a modest role, accounting for 3.1% of onshore capacity and having no offshore plants in operation yet. By September 2025, the country had 1,132 operational wind farms, totaling 34.6 GW of installed capacity, excluding plants in testing phases. The Northeast hosted 1,026 of these farms, which together amounted to 32.1 GW—representing 93.0% of Brazil’s installed capacity. Within the region, the states of Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte stand out, jointly contributing 64% of the nation’s wind power capacity. Studies by the Energy Research Office (EPE) indicate a promising future for wind energy in Brazil. Projections suggest that wind power’s share in Brazil’s electricity generation will rise from 15.0% in 2024 to 17.2% in 2034, an increase of 65.9 TWh—58% higher than the energy produced at the beginning of the period. Based on EPE’s study, investments in wind energy are estimated at R$77.5 billion through 2034. If realized, the Northeast will receive the largest share of these investments due to its strong competitiveness in the sector. However, despite the optimistic outlook highlighted by EPE, the wind industry is currently facing a severe crisis caused mainly by a lack of demand for new projects—driven by curtailment and loss of competitiveness to solar power, among other factors—resulting in workforce layoffs and factory closures across the country.