Offshore wind in flux: Why APAC is capturing developer focus

Following a turbulent year marked by policy shifts and elections across major markets, offshore wind developers are reassessing where their long-term focus should lie - and APAC is gaining a lot of attention.

By Patrick Architta, head of Wind Energy at Ramboll

Uncertainty in the US, coupled with project delays and supply chain disruptions, is testing investor confidence. As a result, attention is shifting towards new and emerging regions where there is opportunity for growth.

For an industry dependent on policy certainty, the US has become increasingly unpredictable – making APAC a more attractive destination for developers, investors, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The region should seize this moment to accelerate its offshore wind growth.

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Why APAC is gaining momentum

Amid broader uncertainty, many developers are rethinking their strategies. After spending resources across multiple geographies, there’s a growing shift toward consolidating efforts in markets that offer greater policy stability and scalable potential.

Governments across the region are pursuing decarbonisation targets, and offshore wind is increasingly seen as central to achieving them.

While each APAC country is at a different stage of development and faces distinct regulatory and technical challenges, the conditions for scaled growth are taking shape. The region is gaining serious traction and becoming more attractive with the slowdown in the US.

Most recently, South Korea has been making noise, launching a tender in May 2025 for 1.25GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity, split between a public-led (500MW) and a general (750MW) market. With floating wind and onshore tenders expected later this year, Korea aims to create a robust, long-term planning framework. This consistent pipeline is drawing developer attention and investment.

Read more: South Korean researchers enhance microgrid optimisation for power balancing

Japan and Vietnam, with their abundant wind resources and ambitious targets, both have huge potential for offshore wind. Japan has a more established regulatory framework, but in light of auction delays and slowing momentum, the government is working to improve conditions, potentially through measures such as extending project durations and introducing feed-in premium pricing, to rebuild investor confidence.

Vietnam, meanwhile, has a strong local manufacturing base that could support a domestic supply chain tailored to offshore development, but progress remains stalled without timely government action.

The Philippines is emerging as a standout in the offshore wind space, ranking second among APAC emerging markets for wind potential. With more than 80 offshore service contracts issued and its first large-scale project underway, the country is laying the groundwork for growth. In June, authorities launched Auction Round 5 – the first offshore wind tender – aiming to allocate 3.3GW of capacity for delivery between 2028 and 2030. It was also announced that onshore auctions will be held annually, sending a strong signal to the market on future capacity.

Australia has been slow to act on offshore wind, with progress lagging behind its potential. Yet the recent general election marked a turning point. The Labor government reaffirmed its ambitious clean energy agenda, with offshore wind set to play a key role. This renewed political will could give the sector the momentum it has long needed. Still, success will depend on accepting long development timelines and investing early in infrastructure. These projects require specialised vessels, trained workers, and a robust supply chain, all of which take years to build and cannot be rushed.

Also of interest: Australia bets big on renewables – but can the grid cope?

Capturing the opportunity: What APAC must do next

The conditions for growth are taking shape across APAC, but realising the region’s full potential will require deliberate, coordinated action. Governments, developers, and industry stakeholders must address bottlenecks, attract investment, and translate momentum into large-scale deployment.

One of APAC’s key advantages is its ability to tap into Europe’s mature offshore wind supply chain. European developers and OEMs are already active in the region, bringing technical expertise, project experience, and lessons learned from scaling offshore wind. By continuing to attract these players, APAC can reduce costs, accelerate delivery, and scale up faster.

Europe also offers important lessons in aligning policy ambition with infrastructure readiness. In several markets, progress stalled when grid and port upgrades lagged behind development targets. This is where regional collaboration will be essential. No single APAC country yet has the scale to support a fully self-sufficient offshore wind supply chain, but shared infrastructure and cross-border coordination will be critical to maintaining momentum and avoiding similar bottlenecks.

Offshore wind is not a short-term play. Projects take years – often a decade or more – to move from planning to operation. But once built, they offer stable, large-scale, clean energy and long-term returns.

APAC has the opportunity to accelerate its offshore wind industry by building on Europe’s experience, avoiding its missteps, and tailoring its approach to the region’s unique challenges.