Since returning to power, U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up efforts to boost fossil fuel production while slowing the country’s renewable energy transition. His administration has pushed for increased oil and gas output and urged foreign buyers to import more U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), using tariffs to pressure trade partners.
Trump has also moved to dismantle key clean energy initiatives, including funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which he has criticized as the “Green New Scam.” Among his most direct actions, Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to halt new offshore wind leases and pause pending permits until further review. These decisions have shaken investor confidence and placed the future of U.S. wind energy growth in question.
Despite these policy shifts, experts say the president will likely struggle to stop wind energy expansion altogether. Onshore wind farms already generate nearly 11% of U.S. electricity, making wind the nation’s largest renewable power source. In 2024, wind and solar briefly surpassed coal in power generation for the first time.
Wind power capacity has surged from just 2.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2000 to over 150 GW across 1,500 wind farms as of April 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That figure is projected to grow to 160 GW in 2025.
Amid policy uncertainty, the wind sector is turning its focus to “repowering” older turbines to extend their lifespans and improve efficiency. Companies like GE Vernova, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa see strong potential in these upgrades. Repowering typically involves replacing drivetrains, rotors, and controls with modern components. GE Vernova estimates that about 10,500 turbines across the U.S. are eligible for such upgrades, which could add up to 2.6 GW of additional capacity to the grid.
As many turbines approach or exceed 20 years of use, repowering offers a cost-effective alternative to decommissioning. The process can boost energy output by up to 50% and often avoids the lengthy permitting needed for new projects. Operators can also use the same land and infrastructure, making it easier to execute upgrades.
However, expanding capacity through repowering may still trigger permitting requirements and the need for community consultations, especially in areas where opposition to energy projects remains strong.
So far, the repowering trend is gaining traction. Nearly 7 GW of wind capacity has already been fully repowered in the U.S., with another 12 GW partially repowered. Around 10,000 turbines have been decommissioned to date.
In April, GE Vernova announced orders to repower over 1 GW of turbines, using parts made at its Pensacola facility in Florida. Matt Lynch, general manager of repower at GE Vernova, said, “Repower projects like these help U.S. workers in U.S. factories take advantage of what we already have, where we already have it.”
While Trump’s policies have made new wind developments more difficult, the wind energy industry is betting on repowering to sustain growth. With many turbines nearing the end of their useful life, companies may choose to upgrade rather than replace them, helping the U.S. maintain and even grow its renewable energy output despite political headwinds.
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