Direct Drive Wind Turbine Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Technology (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG), Electrically Excited Synchronous Generator (EESG)), By Capacity (Less than 1 MW, 1-3 MW, More than 3 MW), By Application (Onshore, Offshore) and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The direct-drive wind turbines are the technology being used in energy generation using wind, which avoids the usage of gearboxes and instead uses permanent magnets for driving the turbines and generating energy using the generators. The low maintenance required for these systems after being installed, less complexity in design due to the elimination of gearboxes, ease in operation are the factors that will propel the adoption of the direct-drive wind turbines.

These systems are mainly being preferred for the offshore locations in which maintenance part is challenging and highly uneconomical. The adoption of direct drives has also been seen at the onshore locations in recent years boosting its market growth. Also the decreasing costs of the permanent magnets, which form the major part of the direct drive wind turbines will augment the market growth.   

Based on technology, the global direct drive wind turbine market can be segmented into permanent magnet synchronous generator and electrically excited synchronous generator. The low cost of the permanent magnet synchronous generator as compared to electrically excited synchronous generator will see it hold a greater market share in the given forecast period.

Based on its capacity, the global direct drive wind turbine market can be segmented into less than 1 MW, 1-3 MW, and more than 3 MW. Depending upon the requirement, the capacity of the wind turbine is decided, and it varies from installation to installation.  

Based on its application, the global direct drive wind turbine market can be segmented into onshore and offshore. The offshore segment has seen a significant number of direct drive wind turbine installations to avoid maintenance and ensure smooth working over a more extended time.

The major market driver for the global direct drive wind turbine market is increasing demand for clean energy around the world, which has policies favoring the adoption of clean energy to be brought in by various countries. Also the low maintenance and less moving parts involved in direct-drive wind turbines will drive the direct drive wind turbine market. 

Key market restraint for the global direct drive wind turbine market is the advancements taking place in the gearbox technology of wind turbines, which will increase their performance characteristics and ultimately hamper the growth of the global direct drive wind turbine market. 

Key Players Covered

Some of the notable players in the global direct drive wind turbine market include Northern Power Systems, Emergya Wind Technologies B.V., Enercon, Siemens, ABB, XEMC Windpower Co,Ltd. Extol Wind, Goldwind, and Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd.

Regional Analysis

The global direct drive wind turbine market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia pacific holds significant opportunities for the growth of the direct drive wind turbines with the increasing adoption of clean energy in the region. The major driving factor for their adoption has been the increased energy demand and increased population in the region.

China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries have been the major players in the region. North America and Europe will also witness a lucrative growth of the direct drive wind turbine installations with the increased adoption of wind energy in the regions. Upcoming planned projects in the region will certainly boost the adoption of direct drive wind turbines. France, Italy, Germany, UK, and USA are among the major players in the regions which will certainly boost their energy production using renewables in forthcoming years. 

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In September 2019, Goldwind which is one of the largest wind turbine manufacturers in china unveiled its first 8 MW turbine at the ceremony held at Goldwind technology Fujian Equipment Manufacturing Base. The drag test for the same would be performed at the Jinfeng Science and Technology Fujian Test branch and then it would be deployed in the second phase of the Xinghua Bay project at the end of 2019.   


• In August 2019, China’s self-developed 10 MW direct-drive permanent magnet generator for offshore wind turbines was successfully tested and was accepted to be shipped for further projects. The developed generator is by far the largest one in the country in terms of unit capacity as said by its manufacturer Dongfang Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.


• In January 2019, Siemens announced the launch of its SG 10.0-193 DD offshore wind turbine. The wind turbine has a 193m diameter rotor and 194m blades and has a swept area of 29,300 m^2. The turbine has an energy production capacity of 10 MW.