A wind turbine is an apparatus that converts the wind's kinetic energy into electrical energy. Wind turbines come in various sizes, with either vertical or horizontal axes. When many large turbines are assembled together, they form a wind farm. To generate electricity, a wind turbine consists of a gearbox drive motor and rotor. In the traditional design, a gearbox is utilized to lower the rotational speed, while the generator benefits from increased torque power in the main shaft at a higher rotational speed.
Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market Driving Factors and Challenges
The global wind turbine gearbox market is experiencing significant growth opportunities, primarily driven by the increasing investment in renewable energy sources worldwide. Governments across various countries are emphasizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and implementing favorable policies to promote the development of onshore and offshore wind markets. Europe, in particular, leads the offshore wind market, holding the highest capacity share. The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy will surpass fossil fuels as the dominant electricity generation source in the next five years.
The escalating demand for electricity and the growing concerns about air pollution are shifting the focus towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy resources. As a result, investments in wind energy have been consistently rising, with numerous new wind projects being established globally. However, this surge in wind capacity requires effective maintenance and monitoring to ensure optimal performance and extended lifespan of wind turbines.
One critical aspect of wind turbines is the gearbox, a complex and crucial component. Proper maintenance of gearboxes is vital for minimizing downtime and maximizing turbine efficiency. The high demand for wind energy and the need for efficient maintenance practices are driving the increased demand for wind turbine gearboxes in the global market.
The wind turbine gearbox market does, however, also encounter some difficulties. The operation and maintenance costs for wind turbines are substantial, constituting over 30% of the total expenses. Regular monitoring and upkeep are necessary for turbines, particularly their critical components: the generator and gearbox. Proper maintenance is vital to ensure the smooth and prolonged lifespan of these components. Neglecting maintenance increases the risk of failure, resulting in significant downtime. Gearbox maintenance is particularly expensive and intricate, often leading to the preference of replacing the gearbox altogether. These high operation and maintenance costs may pose challenges to the market's growth during the forecast period.
Impact of COVID-19 on Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, affecting around 200 countries and resulting in over 200 million cases worldwide. The pandemic has significantly impacted fossil fuels and some renewable energy sources. However, the impact on wind energy is viewed as temporary and relatively less severe. Travel restrictions and nationwide lockdowns disrupted the supply chain, halting import and export activities, and leading to the closure of industries. Consequently, numerous projects across the globe have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wind Turbine Gearbox Market Key Players:
The market study provides market data by competitive landscape, revenue analysis, market segments and detailed analysis of key market players such as; China High Speed Transmission Equipment Group Co. Ltd., Chongqing Gearbox Co. Ltd., Eickhoff Antriebstechnik GmbH, ISHIBASHI Manufacturing Co. Ltd., RENK AG, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A., Winergy AG, ZF Friedrichshafen, Others.
Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market Segmentation:
By Type: Based on the Type, Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market is segmented as; Main Gearbox, Yaw Gearbox, Others.
By Application: Based on the Application, Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market is segmented as; Offshore, Onshore.
By Installation Type: Based on the Installation Type, Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market is segmented as; New, Replacement.
By Capacity: Based on the Capacity, Global Wind Turbine Gearbox Market is segmented as; 5 MW-3 MW, Upto 1.5 MW, Over 3 MW.
By Region: This research also includes data for Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and Latin America.
This study also encompasses various drivers and restraining factors of this market for the forecast period. Various growth opportunities are also discussed in the report.