ECAICO Wind Newsroom – January 2026: Part 1

ECAICO Wind Newsroom – January 2026 (Part 1): Deployment, Offshore Projects, and Grid Expansion

January 2026 reinforced that wind power, particularly offshore wind, has entered a decisive execution phase. Large-scale projects moved from planning to ownership changes, construction milestones, and final investment decisions, while grid infrastructure increasingly became the defining constraint.

This first Wind Newsroom installment focuses strictly on physical deployment and system expansion: offshore and onshore wind projects reaching new stages, ownership and financing developments, and grid connection platforms enabling scale. Policy debates and market risks are intentionally reserved for Part 2.

Across Europe, Asia, and Australia, wind energy progress showed a clear pattern: fewer projects, but larger capacity blocks, higher capital intensity, and deeper dependence on transmission and offshore grid coordination.

At ECAICO, we track wind deployment and renewable energy through an engineering perspective, linking turbines, substations, and grid interfaces to system reliability and long-term energy security.

Offshore wind farm with grid substation and transmission infrastructure

Offshore wind turbines connected to grid infrastructure in 2026.

Offshore Wind Project Development and Ownership Activity

January 2026 featured multiple offshore wind projects advancing through ownership restructuring, capacity allocation, and final investment decision preparation, underscoring continued confidence in large-scale marine wind assets.

Apollo became a co-owner of the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm, highlighting ongoing investor interest in established large-scale offshore projects with long-term revenue visibility.
Vattenfall took a final investment decision for a 1.6 GW offshore wind project in Germany, marking a major step toward construction in one of Europe’s core offshore markets.
A global investor joined RWE on two Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind projects, with final investment decisions expected during the summer, reinforcing confidence in the UK offshore pipeline.
Formosa 4 offshore wind output was reported as fully sold out, while developers urged government action to resolve outstanding project financing requirements.

Onshore Wind Expansion and Regional Project Milestones

While offshore wind dominated capacity headlines, January 2026 also saw continued onshore wind activity, particularly in regions balancing grid constraints with rapid renewable expansion.

Construction work began on the first Latrobe Valley wind project in Australia shortly after state intervention, illustrating the role of public support in reviving stalled onshore developments.
A new wind farm project in Ireland advanced through regional approval processes, reflecting continued but cautious onshore wind expansion in densely regulated markets.
Queensland’s utility sector shifted strategy by signing a power purchase agreement with an existing wind farm rather than pursuing new onshore capacity.

Grid Infrastructure, Offshore Substations, and Connection Platforms

Grid readiness emerged as a central theme in January 2026 wind developments. Offshore substations and connection platforms increasingly define project timelines and system reliability.

Seatrium unveiled a new offshore substation design aimed at supporting larger wind farm capacities and simplifying installation logistics.
A grid connection platform for the Windanker offshore wind farm was successfully installed in the Baltic Sea, enabling future turbine commissioning and power export.
The United Kingdom advanced plans for a deepwater offshore wind test site, supporting next-generation floating wind technologies.

Turbine Orders, Manufacturing Signals, and Supply Chain Activity

January 2026 also delivered important signals from turbine manufacturers, reflecting continued consolidation and selective expansion within the global wind supply chain.

Vestas announced multiple late-year turbine orders, including a breakthrough project in South Korea, reinforcing its position in emerging offshore and onshore markets.
Vestas confirmed a 288 MW turbine order in Australia, highlighting continued demand in mature onshore markets despite grid and permitting constraints.
European countries reached agreements to coordinate North Sea wind development, supporting turbine demand through shared infrastructure and grid planning.

Wind Deployment Signals Heading Into 2026

By the end of January 2026, wind deployment trends pointed toward fewer but significantly larger projects, higher capital requirements, and deeper integration with offshore grid infrastructure.

Offshore wind remains the dominant growth engine, but its success increasingly depends on coordinated investment in substations, transmission corridors, and cross-border grid agreements rather than turbine technology alone.

As this first Wind Newsroom part shows, execution and infrastructure readiness now define wind power’s pace. The next Wind Newsroom installment will examine policy risk, financing challenges, cybersecurity, and market pressures shaping wind energy beyond construction milestones.

Summary

January 2026 confirmed that wind energy has entered a capital-intensive execution phase, defined by large offshore projects, ownership restructuring, and expanding grid infrastructure rather than rapid project proliferation. Progress is increasingly measured by financing closures, construction readiness, and connection milestones.

Offshore wind remains the primary growth driver, but its success now depends on coordinated investment in substations, transmission networks, and cross-border grid planning. As this first Wind Newsroom installment shows, infrastructure readiness and execution discipline have become the decisive factors shaping wind deployment heading into 2026.

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