Wind powers energy security as global tensions shake fuel markets

The global wind energy industry is increasingly being viewed as a strategic tool for energy security as geopolitical tensions, fossil fuel supply disruptions and rising electricity demand reshape how nations power their economies.

According to the Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) Global Wind Report 2026, wind power is no longer seen solely as a climate solution but as a critical component of national energy security, industrial competitiveness and economic resilience in an increasingly volatile world.

The report comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in global energy markets, fuelled by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, disruptions to key oil and gas trade routes, and growing concerns over the vulnerability of fossil fuel-dependent economies.

“Energy security is being redefined,” the report stated. “It is no longer measured by access and affordability alone, but by resilience, diversification and sovereign control over supply.”

GWEC noted that recent geopolitical developments, including instability in the Middle East and disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, have once again exposed the fragility of economies heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels.

The report argued that renewable energy, particularly wind power, offers countries an opportunity to reduce exposure to external shocks by relying on domestic and inexhaustible energy resources.

“Wind power delivers across all four dimensions of energy security, availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability,” the report said.

Record growth despite global uncertainty

The report revealed that the global wind industry installed a record 165 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity in 2025, pushing cumulative global wind installations beyond 1,299 GW.

China remained the dominant force in the sector, accounting for nearly 120 GW of new installations in a single year, while India recorded its strongest annual performance with 6.34 GW of new onshore wind capacity, representing an 85 percent increase from the previous year.

Other emerging markets, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Chile, Vietnam and the Philippines, also expanded their wind sectors significantly as governments sought to diversify energy sources and strengthen economic resilience.

The report noted that wind power is already supplying electricity to more than 937 million households globally and has become a cornerstone of electricity systems in many of the world’s largest economies.

Fossil fuel volatility drives policy shifts

For many governments, recent energy crises have reinforced the economic risks associated with dependence on imported oil, gas and coal.

GWEC estimated that approximately three-quarters of the world’s population live in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels, making them vulnerable to price spikes, supply shortages and geopolitical conflicts.

The report highlighted how renewable energy deployment over the past decade has helped reduce coal imports by around 700 million tonnes and natural gas imports by 400 billion cubic metres globally, generating estimated savings of $1.3 trillion since 2010.

Michael Hannibal, chair of GWEC, said countries increasingly recognise that renewable energy offers a pathway to strategic autonomy.

“By relying on domestic, inexhaustible resources, countries can insulate themselves from geopolitical shocks, reduce exposure to volatile fuel prices and deliver lower, more predictable energy costs for consumers and industry alike,” he said.

The report added that the economic case for wind power continues to strengthen. Onshore wind now delivers some of the lowest-cost electricity globally, with average generation costs significantly below those of fossil fuel-based generation in many markets.