From great leaps forward in turbine technology and innovations in blades and towers, through to the pivotal business and policy developments that helped shape the industry, 2022 saw some major changes that have implications for the future of wind.
2022: The year in turbine technology
The turbine industry is a fierce competition to produce the models customers need in different markets or specific weather conditions and this year has brought with it a raft of advancements in technology and components; from Vestas’ radical modularized nacelle concept, to Nordex and Enercon’s battle for the record rotor size for an onshore turbine.
Read more: The year in turbine technology
2022: Innovations which could shape the wind industry
From the prototypes which will make floating wind commercially viable in the future to novel ways of producing turbines and towers, the wind industry is a hotbed of cutting-edge innovation.
Read more: Innovations which could shape the wind industry
2022: Pivotal business developments in wind
The wind power industry – like every other industry – has been hindered by cost pressures and supply chain shortages in 2022.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine not only led to a grim human toll, but Russia’s subsequent enforcement of gas shortages has further increased energy prices, driving up the price of everything.
And as the world returns to pre-Covid levels of production, competition for raw materials has intensified, increasing commodity prices. For these reasons, perhaps 2022 was a year like no other for the wind power business, hitting the supply chain, and forcing under-pressure companies into difficult decisions.
But the usual business of company acquisitions also continued this year, with players in the wind power industry consolidating and growing their businesses. Meanwhile, rival turbine firms fought an ongoing patent case in courts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Read more: Pivotal business developments in wind
2022: Senior wind industry hires and departures
There were some major changes to the senior management layer of the wind industry this year; from a changing of the guard at the top levels of Siemens Gamesa, to a new leader for Indian turbine firm Suzlon, following the untimely death of its founder.
Read more: Senior wind industry hires and departures
2022: The year in wind power auctions
Auctions are one of the key ways in which developers secure a stable revenue stream for their wind farms.
Competition has spread in 2022, opening up new markets for wind onshore and offshore
But in a year in which war in Ukraine has weakened global supply chains and contributed to spiraling inflation, bidders have faced growing challenges.
Read more: The year in wind power auctions
2022: The policy year in review (Part 1: Europe)
The year brought with it a raft of policy developments across Europe and the UK, some of which were welcomed by the wind industry while others were regarded as a major setback.
Europe was rocked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompting a scramble by the European Union to respond to the crisis. The war was also a wake-up call regarding Europe’s historical over-reliance on Russian energy and the EU devised policy initiatives to respond. These measures were aimed squarely at the speeding up the build out of wind and other renewables in order to secure the continent’s long-term energy security - not to mention depriving Vladimir Putin of revenue from Russian gas to fund the war.
Read more: The policy year in review (Part 1: Europe)
2022: The policy year in review (Part 2: Americas & Asia-Pacific)
From the final nail in the coffin of President Biden’s Build Back Better bill to Australia’s announced intention to become a renewables superpower, the year brought with it a raft of policy moves across the Americas and Asia-Pacific
Read more: The policy year in review (Part 2: Americas & Asia-Pacific)
2022: Expert opinions which helped shape the industry
Throughout the year, Windpower Monthly called upon experts from all over the globe to offer insight into breaking news, technological advancements and legal disputes within the wind industry.
Our readers heard from the likes of Vestas’ CTO, Anders Nielsen and the chair of the professional body, POWERful Women (PfW).
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