However, the drop in the number of turbines shipments – to 407 during the third quarter – is tempered by a boom in the orders rolling in.

Renewables-related orders were “strong” during the third quarter, up by more than 100% on last year to $1.2bn, “with continuing strength in the US”, says chief financial officer Jeff Bornstein.

GE shipped 351 windturbines during the second quarter of 2013.

The