Global Wind Day: Harnessing the Power of Wind

Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy worldwide, supporting more than 1.4 million jobs globally. In 2023, the global wind energy market continued its impressive growth trajectory, with a 17% increase in new installations, adding 93 GW of capacity. This brought total global wind capacity to over 837 GW, underlining the rapid pace at which the industry is expanding. As of 2024, wind accounted for around 8% of the world’s electricity generation.

The cumulative number of I-RECs issued by GCC for wind energy has increased from 9 million in 2019 to over 100 million today. To put the scale of this growth into perspective, 100 million I-RECs are sufficient to exceed the energy needs of several major cities and countries. For example, this amount of wind energy could power the entire city of London for almost 2 years. 100 million I-RECs could also supply all the electricity needs of Singapore for over a year, cater to Finland's energy requirements for nearly a year, and sustain Morocco for over 1 and a half years.

Asia now hosts over half of global wind capacity and contributed nearly two-thirds of all new renewable energy additions in 2023. Wind capacity in the region grew by over 19%, marking the fastest annual increase since 2020. And the momentum continues: 2024 broke records for new global wind installations, showing no signs of slowing down.

As wind power takes on an increasingly important role in global decarbonisation, addressing challenges such as intermittency, land use, and ecological impact remains essential to unlocking its full potential.

By harnessing this clean, inexhaustible resource, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and help mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Thanks to continued technological advancements, wind energy has become more efficient, accessible, and affordable than ever before.

As we celebrate Global Wind Day, we’re reminded of the power of collective action and the real progress that’s possible when we harness nature’s energy responsibly and credibly.