Wind

GE cuts 60% slice of record US wind turbine market in first three quarters: AWEA

GE’s leads American best-ever build-out with almost 3.8GW in orders, outreaching rival Vestas which had 1.7GW, and Siemens Gamesa, third with 670MW, AWEA figures show

GE 2MW-127 turbines operating in the US
GE 2MW-127 turbines operating in the USFoto: GE
  • Richard A. Kessler in Fort Worth

GE Renewable Energy installed 60% of US new turbine capacity in a record wind power market through September, while also solidifying its lead for near-term pipeline projects, according to the latest industry report by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

The US OEM’s installations amount to 3.81GW so far this year, versus closest rival Vestas with 1.72GW (27% market share). Siemens Gamesa was third, with 619MW (10%) and Nordex fourth, 151MW (2%).

GE’s 2.82-127 was the most popular turbine installed to-date this year, accounting for 28% of capacity additions, followed by its 2.5-127 model, with Vestas’ V110-2.0 in third place. As average nameplate capacity ratings continue to increase, this has played to the OEM’s strength in the mid-range 2.5-2.9MW turbine segment that it dominates.

In the third quarter, GE installed 1.1GW of capacity and Vestas 886MW, representing all activity in the world’s second largest wind market, according to Wind Powers America Third Quarter 2020 Market Report. Vestas leads the 2MW segment although GE with its 2.3MW platform is a strong second.

Onshore turbines are larger, taller, and more productive than ever before, driven by advancements in technology, improved siting techniques and more public acceptance as the country transitions to cleaner energy sources.

GE is not a major player is in the fast-growing large size segment that encompasses turbines from 3.3MW to 4.2MW so far this year and up to 5.6MW for projects under construction. Vestas is number one with its V126, V136, V150 and V162 platforms, followed by Siemens Gamesa and Nordex.

For the 43.7GW of projects under construction and in advanced stages of development that have declared a turbine vendor, GE had a 50% share with 12GW, followed by Vestas with 8.3GW (35%), and Nordex and Siemens Gamesa, both with 1.76GW (15%).

The volume of planned projects using 4MW or larger turbines totals 5.22GW, 22% of the US pipeline, with Vestas’ V162-5.6MW machine the largest on order thus far.

In the offshore wind market, Siemens Gamesa is supplying 68% of projects where an OEM has been reported by developers, followed by GE (19%) and MHI Vestas (13%).

Siemens Gamesa is set to supply the SG8.0-167DD turbine for three Orsted-Eversource Energy joint venture projects: Sunrise (880MW), Revolution Wind (704MW) and South Fork (130MW). Dominion has committed to the 14-15MW SG14-222DD turbine for its 2.64GW mega-project off the coast of Virginia.

GE has been named preferred supplier by Orsted for its Ocean Wind (1.1GW) and Skipjack (120MW) projects that will use the 12-13MW Haliade-X turbine.

Vineyard Wind, an Avangrid Renewables – Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners joint venture, named MHI Vestas as preferred supplier for its 800MW project, but recently has suggested it may opt for a larger turbine than the V164-9.5MW.

No large-scale offshore project has received a federal permit to begin construction although that could change in December with Vineyard Wind.

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Published 29 October 2020, 20:40Updated 29 October 2020, 20:40
AmericasUSAWEA