Good morning Ministers, distinguished guests, colleagues and friends...
Firstly I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet today.
Secondly I would like to thank you Minister D’Ambrosio for her ambition and leadership, and also for the strong collaboration we have had with between the Victorian Government and GWEC in putting on this conference, and to the Victorian Govt for their kind and gracious hosting of us here at MCEC.
It's a huge pleasure to welcome you to the Global Wind Energy Council's APAC Summit 2025. We're delighted to return to Melbourne, where we held our inaugural APAC summit back in 2023. I’m told by our GWEC in house Melbourne cultural advisor, our Chief Industry Officer Stewart Mullin, that Melbourne weather is notorious for having four seasons in one day. Well so far I’m glad that so far this morning I’m glad that the weather is a little off brand given the snow storms we had last year In Incheon.
With 140 nations represented among its residents, Melbourne is recognised as one of the world's most multicultural cities—a true meeting point for diverse voices, cultures, and perspectives. I can't therefore think of a better location to host the APAC Summit, a conference dedicated to bringing together different countries and cultures from across the Asia-Pacific region under a common mission to advance wind energy.
It's my pleasure and privilege to open today's proceedings and to thank our generous sponsors who have made this gathering possible. A big thank you to Iberdrola Australia; Vestas and Southerly Ten. Your support enables us to convene the leading minds across industry and governments in wind energy as we navigate both the unprecedented opportunities and critical challenges ahead. Thank you also to the GWEC team, who have worked with passion and dedication to deliver the summit.
Friends, since we last met here two years ago in this building, there have certainly been challenges to the sector. But the fundamentals of wind energy have not changed.
Wind energy is already powering 500 million homes worldwide and helping economies grow across the globe. It is providing 1.5 million direct jobs worldwide and counting, plus cleaner air as we replace fossil fuel generation and reduce carbon emissions. In this time of rising geopolitical tensions, countries harnessing their wind resources are benefiting from energy independence and security of supply, addressing vulnerabilities to geopolitical risks like conflicts, and insulating them against future shocks. Once the technology is installed, the wind keeps blowing and the turbines keep turning – you cannot turn off the tap or stop the winds of change from blowing around the world. And moreover, wind is affordable; in mature markets it is providing price stability and immediate relief from the high cost of gas, in other markets, wind brings long-term insurance against future prices shocks.
The most recent numbers tell a compelling story. In just these two years, since we were last together, our industry has installed 220 GW of new capacity globally – enough wind to power 66 million homes. Wind now powers the energy mix in 124 countries around the world. 2024 was another record year for wind deployment, with BNEF showing a record $39 billion in wind investment this year alone.
To us at GWEC, these numbers reflect a wider global trend: the rapid rise of renewables and the race toward electrification. The world is moving at speed into what the International Energy Agency calls the "Age of Electricity" – the next industrial revolution is here.
In this next era, countries that leverage their abundant wind resources to move fastest towards an electrified future will enhance their competitiveness and gain strategic advantage. We are beginning to see the world’s first clean energy super-powers move into view, with wind and solar providing the bulk of new power. In the UK, Europe, China, India and across Asia, the future looks electric. Although there are those who might try to prevent us, there is no stopping the trend for electrification that has been unleashed. This all electric, bullet train is leaving the station at speed.
The Asia Pacific region will be the growth engine of this change and stands to profit. We see clear and strong momentum in this region. Last year was a record year for wind growth in the region, with 75% market share, buoyed by strong growth in India and China. Last year marked a record for regional wind growth, capturing 75% market share thanks to robust expansion in India and China. Looking ahead, our GWEC outlook reveals increasing diversification across the region, with exciting wind development now emerging from a new set of markets.
Even in the last few months include the launch of the first ever offshore wind auction in The Philippines (Jun 2025) which stands to become the first EMDE country in APAC to build out its offshore wind industry at scale, and Korea, who recently announced the winners of their offshore wind auction, and in Vietnam, where the building blocks for strong wind growth are being put in place.
There is therefore a lot to be confident about when looking at the future of our technology and the opportunity in front of us. Despite the concerted effort from certain actors to undermine the case for wind energy, steady progress continues to be made. As the report shows, many countries around the world are doubling down on wind energy today - by increasing the volume of procurement rounds, passing legislations, and developing policies to prepare the ground for wind energy to play a bigger role.
A Critical Moment for Government-Industry Alignment
We are therefore at an important moment. The industry faces well documented policy instability in key markets, and macroeconomic financing challenges that could slow our progress. These wider challenges have collided with ineffective policies, such as slow permitting and poor auction design.
But I would argue that these challenges should not discourage us—they should make us all redouble our efforts. Now is the time for honest conversations, and to find a pathway forwards. What we need now is renewed industry government alignment and urgency, with each actor playing their essential role:
- Governments providing policy stability and long-term visibility, streamlining permitting processes, invest in grid infrastructure, and creating bankable market frameworks.
- Industry providing: Continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in industrialization, continue to be cost competitive, and invest in supply chains and workforce development.
- Together, we must: redouble our efforts to build public support for wind energy projects, fighting disinformation, and continue to tell the compelling story of wind energy's benefits to society.
The wind industry has consistently exceeded expectations and overcome challenges that seemed insurmountable. What we need now is the collective will to act at the scale and speed this moment demands. The age of electricity is upon us, and wind energy will be its foundation and anchor.
I can’t wait to talk about that more over the coming days. Thank you, and welcome to what I'm confident will be an exceptional conference.
