Onshore wind: Overview
Why the three-blade tower became the workhorse of new power
What this tile covers Horizontal-axis turbines on land, the main source of new wind power. Share of use 1.4% share of world energy supply (2024)Share of world total energy supply captured or extracted by each method, 2024 (latest year where noted). Denominator is the Energy Institute Statistical Review 2025 total of 592.2 EJ (physical energy content method); electricity from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal is counted at output, nuclear at reactor heat. Heat and biomass flows outside EI's total are set against the same 592.2 EJ. Wind 2,494 TWh (8.98 EJ) minus offshore and small wind = 8.23 EJ of 592.2 EJ (calculated). Offshore split estimated from capacity: 83 GW of 1,135 GW, weighted by IRENA capacity factors of 41% offshore and 36% onshore. Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 (74th edition), Energy Institute.
Key facts
| Output | Electricity |
| Chain | Solar → heat → kinetic (wind) → mechanical (rotor) → electrical |
Included from the reference tables
- Horizontal-axis turbines, onshore
Linked to the material world
St SteelCu CopperREE Rare earthsAlso in Wind
WOf Offshore windWSm Small, airborne and traditional windExplore paths from here
More on this tile in the tabs above: efficiency, techniques, resources and labour, impact on the biosphere.