The US Wind Industry Is Coming Back

The US wind industry experienced a significant downturn after President Donald Trump took office in 2017, with many projects stalled and jobs lost due to restrictive policies on new onshore wind farms. However, recent signs indicate a revival, particularly in the onshore sector. Danish manufacturer Vestas reported substantial turbine orders in 2025, including a 950 MW package for undisclosed US projects, signaling renewed demand. Much of this resurgence is driven by repowering efforts, where older wind farms are upgraded with newer, more efficient turbines to increase capacity while reducing the number of turbines. These repowering projects face fewer regulatory hurdles since they occur on existing sites, making them a viable path forward despite ongoing political resistance to new developments. The offshore wind sector remains more vulnerable due to its reliance on federal lease areas, which have been curtailed under the current administration, limiting new lease auctions and slowing project approvals. Nonetheless, some projects like Equinor’s in New York have resumed construction after brief halts, and new