As the European energy landscape evolves, wind power has solidified its role as a cornerstone of electricity generation. By the end of 2025, Europe achieved a total installed wind capacity of 304 GW, comprising 265 GW from onshore sources and 39 GW offshore. This substantial growth underscores wind energy’s critical importance in the continent’s transition towards sustainable energy.
In 2025 alone, Europe added 19.1 GW of new wind capacity, with approximately 90% of this increase occurring onshore. The EU-27 contributed significantly to this expansion, installing 15.1 GW of new projects—a 16% increase compared to the previous year. Wind energy accounted for around 19% of total electricity consumption across the EU, reflecting its deepening integration into national power systems.
Countries like Denmark, Lithuania, Ireland, and Sweden have demonstrated remarkable advancements in wind energy utilization, with Denmark generating about 50% of its electricity from wind. Germany continues to lead the continent in capacity addition, having installed 5.7 GW in 2025 alone, followed by Turkey (2.1 GW) and Sweden (1.8 GW).
Investment in wind projects reached €45 billion in 2025, supporting developments that promise an additional 20.9 GW of future capacity. This influx of capital indicates that the next phase of wind expansion is already underway across Europe.
Southeast Europe’s Wind Capacity Remains Modest
Despite the overall growth in Europe, Southeast Europe’s contribution to wind capacity remains relatively small. By the end of 2025, the region had approximately 2.56 GW of installed wind capacity—less than 1% of Europe’s total. Historically reliant on coal and hydropower, countries in this region have seen slower development of wind energy compared to their Western and Northern European counterparts.
Croatia currently leads Southeast Europe with significant operational wind farms, followed by Serbia, which is emerging as a key player with a diverse portfolio of projects. Other countries like Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are gradually developing mid-scale projects but still lag behind Croatia and Serbia.
Recent analyses suggest that Southeast Europe is entering a more active phase for wind investment, although progress varies significantly among nations. Serbia’s wind market is expanding through a mix of private and state-backed initiatives.
Serbia’s Growing Wind Portfolio
Serbia stands as the second-largest wind market in Southeast Europe with 13 operational wind farms totaling 824.2 MW of capacity. In 2025 alone, Serbia connected an additional 199 MW to its grid—a notable increase of 24% from the previous year.
The Čibuk 1 project represents Serbia’s largest operational wind farm at 158 MW, developed by Vetroelektrane Balkana d.o.o., with financing from the IFC group and EBRD amounting to €270 million. Other significant projects include Kovačica (104.5 MW) and Čibuk 2 (154 MW), highlighting a trend toward diversified investments involving both international developers and local firms.
State-owned utility Elektroprivreda Srbije has also entered the sector with its Kostolac wind park project, which adds another layer to Serbia’s growing renewable energy landscape.
Croatia Maintains Regional Leadership
Croatia continues to dominate Southeast Europe’s wind sector with a total installed capacity of approximately 1,264 MW by late 2025. The country operates 29 wind farms and has additional projects under construction that will further enhance its capabilities.
Major installations such as the Senj (156 MW) and Krš-Pađene (142 MW) wind farms are pivotal to Croatia’s renewable energy strategy.
Montenegro’s Gradual Expansion
Montenegro’s wind sector remains nascent but shows signs of growth with projects like Krnovo (72 MW) and Možura (46 MW). The upcoming Gvozd project aims to add another 54 MW to Montenegro’s capacity.
North Macedonia Enters New Development Phase
North Macedonia has increased its total wind capacity to 103 MW following the installation of an additional 30 MW in 2025. Projects like Bogdanci and Bogoslovec mark significant steps in the country’s renewable energy journey.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Shows Steady Growth
Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded moderate growth with an installed capacity of 244 MW by late 2025. The Mesihovina project remains a key contributor alongside ongoing developments aimed at increasing overall capacity.
Slovenia Remains Marginally Involved
In contrast to its neighbors, Slovenia has seen limited advancements in wind energy development, with only minimal operational capacity established thus far.
Future Projections for Wind Capacity
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest that Southeast Europe’s wind capacity could exceed 5.19 GW by 2030 if planned projects materialize successfully—representing a potential increase of over 100%. Projections indicate that Serbia could achieve around 2,100 MW by then, while Croatia may reach approximately 1,640 MW.
The coming decade will necessitate alignment with broader European dynamics regarding energy transition strategies. Enhanced permitting processes and robust infrastructure will be crucial for supporting future developments across the region.
