New analysis from Navigant Research has shown that global wind turbine manufacturing capacity has far surpassed global demand, providing flexibility, choice, and cost control.
“Oversupply is allowing wind turbine manufacturers to more easily adjust what components they produce in-house, what is outsourced, and when a blend of both is advantageous for cost, technological, or geographic reasons,” says Jesse Broehl, senior research analyst with Navigant Research.
“Although many manufacturing facilities are running at less than full capacity, product innovation, lean manufacturing, and outsourcing are resulting in a highly competitive wind industry ready for the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s wind markets.”
The report analysed the wind energy supply chain, including more than 500 component and materials suppliers, and found that over the past 2 years, “more flexible sourcing strategies across the wind power supply chain have resulted in cost reductions, enabling greater geographic market access while reducing risk and ensuring profitability for wind turbine vendors and their partners in the component value chain.”
According to the new report, 2014 demand is only expected to reach 47 GW, but manufacturing capacity could exceed 71 GW.
The report investigates heavily the wide variety and product evolution of wind turbine blades, among many other areas of production. The executive summary notes that “many manufacturing facilities that had been built for the growing wind market are running at partial capacity,” therefore inducing strain on suppliers. “However, product innovation, lean manufacturing, and sourcing are resulting in a highly competitive wind industry ready for the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s wind markets.”
The executive summary can be acquired by logging in at Navigant Research, and checking out the report page.
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