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Vestas Reclaims Position as Top Global Wind Turbine Manufacturer in 2018, According to Navigant Research


Shifts in OEM rankings reflect an industry plateau created by increased cost pressures and competition from solar
July 18, 2019 – Boulder, CO – A new report from Navigant Research tracks wind turbine OEM market distributions and market shares by region and country.
In 2018, global installed wind power capacity decreased year-to-year from 52 GW to 50.6 GW, due to increased competition from solar and a transition to more challenging market-based competitive incentives for the wind market. As the industry plateaus in certain countries, some turbine manufacturers are responding to the shifting market dynamics better than others. Click to tweet: According to a new report from Navigant Research, Vestas retook the top position from Siemens Gamesa in 2018 with a record 10.4 GW installed.
“The top 10 global rankings reflect increasingly competitive market dynamics among OEMs and various country markets,” says Jesse Broehl, research analyst at Navigant Research.  “Beyond the top overall global rankings, there is intense competition among a handful of OEMs in the top global markets.”
According to the report, although the Chinese turbine OEMs install an impressive number of wind turbines each year, the capacity is almost exclusively in China. Only a few Chinese OEMs install outside of China, and the capacity is minimal despite years of internationalization efforts. Therefore, a key part of the current industry focus is on shifting market shares in many countries where top companies like Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, GE Renewable Energy, Nordex, Enercon, and others are all competing for business. For example, GE Renewable Energy retook the lead in the United States from Vestas, which had surpassed it the year before. Vestas, however, took the top position in more leading country markets in 2018 over its other rivals.
The report, Market Data: Global Wind Turbine OEM Market Share, focuses on tracking wind turbine OEM market distributions and market shares by region and country and includes Chinese and non-Chinese OEM comparisons. The study analyzes specific competitive countries for turbine OEMs, whose success relies on vast diversification among many global markets versus reliance on only one or a few markets. Data presented includes the top three to five wind turbine OEMs in each of the top 10 country markets for 2018. Average wind turbine size in top country markets is assessed, as are average wind turbine rotor diameters by turbine OEM and by top country markets. In addition, this report provides data on the top selling wind turbine Western OEMs in 2018. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.
About Navigant Research
Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of clean, intelligent, mobile, and distributed energy. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.
About Navigant
Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant’s professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare, energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant’s practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found at navigant.com.