Wind energy continues to play a growing role in the U.S. power mix. Today, wind turbines generate about 11.8% of the nation’s electricity. That share could climb to roughly 20% by 2030, and as high as 35% by 2050, as utilities expand renewable capacity and retire fossil fuel assets.
That long-term growth runway should benefit companies tied to wind energy, from turbine manufacturers to power producers. For investors, the challenge isn’t whether wind is growing, it’s figuring out how to gain exposure in a relatively small and specialized market.
Top wind energy stocks to consider
Despite the sector’s growth, there are surprisingly few publicly traded companies that focus exclusively on wind energy. Only a handful of turbine manufacturers and wind-focused operators trade on major U.S. exchanges, which limits pure-play investment options.
Because of that, investors often need to take a broader approach. Many of the strongest wind investments come from diversified energy companies, industrial firms, or global manufacturers with meaningful wind exposure alongside other businesses.
With that in mind, here are some of the best wind energy stocks to consider.
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) | $179.8 billion | 2.62% | Electric Utilities |
| Ge Vernova (NYSE:GEV) | $203.5 billion | 0.17% | Electrical Equipment |
| Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC) | $7.4 billion | 3.64% | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
| Clearway Energy (NYSE:CWEN) | $4.3 billion | 4.96% | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
| Vestas Wind Systems A/s (OTC:VWDRY) | $30.6 billion | 0.27% | Electrical Equipment |
| Siemens Energy Ag (OTC:SMNE.Y) | $150.2 billion | 0.00% | Electrical Equipment |
| Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) | $51.3 billion | 4.45% | Multi-Utilities |
| XPLR Infrastructure (NYSE:XIFR) | $929.3 million | 0.00% | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
1. NextEra Energy
NYSE: NEE
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NYSE: GEV
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OTC: VWDRY
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4. Siemens Energy
OTC: SMNE.Y
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NYSE: BEP
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NYSE: CWEN
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NYSE: D
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NYSE: XIFR
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Types of wind energy companies
Companies in the wind industry tend to fall into the following categories:
- Wind turbine and component manufacturers: These companies benefit from growing wind energy demand because it helps to drive sales growth. However, they face potential demand, competition, and cost pressures.
- Wind power producers: These companies own and operate turbines that produce wind energy, which they sell to end users, such as electric utilities and large corporate buyers. Most wind producers sell power under government-regulated rate structures or long-term, fixed-rate power purchase agreements (PPAs) that generate steady revenue.
Key factors to consider before investing in wind energy stocks
Investors should evaluate a few factors before they buy shares of a wind energy company, including:
- Business model: Investors need to determine if they want to invest in a company that manufactures and installs wind turbines or one that produces and sells wind energy.
- Business mix: You'll need to consider whether you want to invest in a more pure-play wind energy company or one with a more diversified business mix.
- Financial profile: You should focus on investing in financially strong wind energy companies that can withstand future headwinds that could negatively affect the sector.
Benefits and risks of investing in wind energy stocks
The wind energy sector has its share of pros and cons. Here are some of the benefits of investing in wind energy stocks:
- Growth: Demand for wind energy should grow significantly in the coming years, which should benefit wind energy companies.
- Income: Many companies that produce power from wind generate predictable cash flow, enabling them to pay dividends.
- Environmentally friendly: Investing in wind energy allows you to support a lower-carbon and more sustainable world.
On the other hand, here are some of the risks of investing in wind energy companies:
- Volatility: While demand for wind energy is growing, its growth rate can fluctuate. That can cause earnings volatility for manufacturers of wind turbines.
- Geopolitical changes: Supportive government policies can drive additional demand for wind energy. When that support diminishes, it can affect the sector's growth.
How to invest in wind energy stocks
Anyone can invest in wind energy stocks. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add one to your portfolio:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Future Outlook for the Wind Energy Industry
The wind industry has faced headwinds in recent years. Installations fell to 5.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 -- their lowest level in the past decade -- due to tariffs, a pause in new federal wind leasing and permitting, and other issues.
While overall U.S. power demand is on track to surge in the coming years, Wood Mackenzie expects the U.S. to install 45.1 GW of new capacity by 2029, down 40% from its prior outlook. While the Trump administration's current anti-wind policies could hold the industry back in the near term, robust power demand from AI data centers could be a long-term tailwind for wind energy.
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