GE’s position as leader in the hotly competitive US wind turbine market is under stiff challenge from Vestas with only 60MW of capacity installed separating the two OEMs through the first three quarters, according to new numbers from the American Clean Power Association (ACP).

Project developers installed 1.59GW using GE turbines, 39% of the 4.1GW onshore market, versus 1.53GW, or 37%, for Vestas. GE has been the leader in its home market since 2019, the second largest globally after China, dethroning Vestas who held the top position for the prior three years.

Vestas' renewed challenge comes as GE's onshore wind business swung to a loss this year on a downturn in orders and rising costs, partly due to product quality issues. Onshore wind is the main segment in the company's renewable energy division which executives forecast will lose $2bn this year.

Developers installed 614MW of Siemens Gamesa turbines, 15% of the market, and 369MW of Nordex turbines, a 9% share through 30 September.

The GE workhorse 2.82-127 remains the industry’s most popular turbine accounting for 32% of installations, although this is down from 42% for full 2021.

ACP in its report, Clean Power Quarterly 2022 Q3, said there was 22.54GW of onshore wind power under construction or in advanced development at the end of the third quarter. Of that total, 10,487 MW (45%) have selected and reported a turbine provider.

GE leads the ranks with 5.41GW, or 52% of the known pipeline, compared with 3.84GW, or 37% for Vestas. The other OEMs chosen as turbine providers are Siemens Gamesa 738MW (7%), Nordex 498MW (5%), and Suzlon 80MW (1%). A Suzlon turbine has not been installed in the US since 2012.

In the declared pipeline, GE’s product leaders are its 2.82-127, 3.4-140, and 2.5-116. Vestas is the clear pacesetter among turbines with 4GW to 6GW rated capacities. The Danish OEM’s V162-6.0 is the largest onshore wind turbine listed by ACP.

Siemens Gamesa’s top turbine selected is the 5.0-145 while Nordex’s is the N155/4500. No model was given for Suzlon.