A recent report from Navigant Research covers developments in the wind energy sector during 2014, including an analysis of the important changes in the industry over the last 3 years and global market forecasts through 2019.

Following 2013’s 20% global decrease in wind power installations, the wind energy industry saw new signs of strength in 2014. With installations growing by 42% year-over-year in 2014, supported largely by policies in China, Germany, and the United States, the market is poised for further growth in the next couple of years. Click to tweet: According to a recent report from Navigant Research, 2015 wind power capacity installations are expected to grow by 8.9%.

“Moderate growth in the next 2 years is expected, but as wind incentives begin to adjust downward, particularly in China and Germany, fluctuation is also on the horizon,” says Jesse Broehl, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “While U.S. wind incentives reinstated in early 2013 are coming to fruition through an extended 2014–2016 build cycle, Germany is expected to see a substantial drop in installations in 2015 due to changes to its incentive structures, and China, the world’s largest market in 2014, has started implementing more market-oriented feed-in tariff rates.”

In terms of turbine supplier rankings, Vestas once again secured the No. 1 position after strong sales both onshore and offshore, according to the report. Siemens, which jumped from two positions to take second place in 2014, was expected to have challenged Vestas’ position had more planned offshore wind been fully commissioned and grid-connected.