LAC could more than double its onshore wind capacity by 2035 and launch its first offshore projects within the decade.
Key Findings
GWEC and ERM’s report maps the region’s onshore and offshore supply chains, identifies bottlenecks, and outlines six key actions to enable a clean, competitive, and locally rooted wind industry.
Industrial Strengths and Gaps
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Brazil leads as the regional hub for onshore component manufacturing. Producing nacelles, generators, blades, and towers.
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Mexico and Argentina hold complementary strengths but on a smaller scale.
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Chile and Colombia rely heavily on imports for most components.
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Local supply is limited for gearboxes, submarine cables, offshore foundations, and installation vessels (WTIVs).
Strategic Opportunities and Risks
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LAC hosts around 25% of the world’s critical minerals for the energy transition including copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earths.
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Chile leads global copper production, while Brazil holds nearly 20% of rare earth reserves.
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Despite the potential, dependency on Asian imports, especially from China, exposes the region to price and supply risks.
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The offshore wind sector remains nascent, constrained by port capacity, lack of shipyards, and specialised vessels.
Challenges Ahead
The Latin American wind sector faces several interconnected challenges that threaten to slow its momentum. Regulatory uncertainty and inconsistent auction schedules continue to undermine investor confidence, while transmission bottlenecks and grid congestion restrict both onshore expansion and future offshore growth.
The region’s industrial vulnerability, driven by limited local manufacturing and heavy reliance on imports, further exposes it to supply and cost risks. Compounding these issues are significant skills and innovation gaps, with few structured programs linking industry and academia to develop local expertise.
Meanwhile, persistent infrastructure deficits, particularly across ports and logistics, hinder the scalability of large projects.
Finally, the lack of regional collaboration prevents countries from achieving economies of scale and building the collective resilience needed to position Latin America as a competitive global wind energy hub.
Six Recommendations for LAC
- Build regulatory certainty through predictable auction schedules and clear offshore frameworks.
- Strengthen grid and port infrastructure to handle large-scale wind development.
- Accelerate local manufacturing and foster industrial clusters.
- Implement financial mechanisms and incentives to reduce investment risk.
- Promote technology transfer tied to local mineral and material strengths.
- Deepen regional cooperation to share knowledge, harmonise standards, and unlock economies of scale.
Media Inquiries
Alex Bath
Communications Director
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alex.bath@gwec.net