GE extends US wind market lead over Vestas in first quarter

The US OEM grabbed 70% of its home wind market that is shifting to larger machines

GE extends US wind market lead over Vestas in first quarter
Foto: GE

GE Renewable Energy took a commanding lead in the hotly competitive US wind turbine market with a 70% share of first quarter installations, as the industry continues its shift to larger machines, according to latest figures from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

GE, which took a 45% share of the market in 2019 as a whole, installed 1.27GW of 1.82GW nationwide in Q1, all onshore, as its increasingly popular 2.5-127 model accounted for 33% of total capacity additions.

The OEM also installed 2.3-116, 2.82-127 and 3.8-137 turbines, the latter its largest onshore model to date in the US and a direct challenge to rival Vestas, leader in the 3MW and above market segment here.

AWEA in its Wind Powers America First Quarter 2020 Report highlighted that 41% of turbines installed in the first quarter were rated over 3MW, a notable change in US market where the 2MW platform had long been the standard.

Last quarter, Vestas installed 395MW, or 22% of the US market, down from 33% in calendar 2019. Only a minority were 2MW, where it remains the top vendor. Instead, the great majority were 3.45MW and above including the market-leading V150-4.2.

Nordex was third with 151MW – all the AW125/3150 model. Siemens Gamesa had no installations and neither did Goldwind, the only Chinese OEM with a presence in the US.

Looking ahead, GE captured 41% of capacity under construction or in advanced stages of development for which a turbine manufacturer is known, or 12.71GW. Vestas is second with 29%, or 8.91GW, then Siemens Gamesa, 6.74GW, or 22%, and Nordex, 2GW, or 6%.

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Published 29 April 2020, 22:08Updated 30 April 2020, 06:56
AmericasUSAWEAVestasGE Renewable Energy