We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Top Wind Energy Stocks to Keep an Eye on For Solid Returns
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
NEE added 1,365 MW wind and 755 MW battery capacity in 2024, expanding its U.S. and Canada footprint.
POR plans major renewable asset additions, backed by strong load growth from data center demand.
Arcosa is gaining from robust wind tower demand and $1.1B in new orders following the IRA passage.
An updated edition of the April 29, 2025 article.
With rising global awareness and government pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, renewable sources of energy have taken over fossil fuels for power generation. Industries have increasingly been focusing on sustainability initiatives to move ahead in their path to net-zero emissions. Also, automakers are rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles as part of their sustainability goals.
Among various alternative energy sources, wind power stands out as a key driver of the clean energy transition. In the United States, wind energy generates a record share of electricity production, making it one of the largest sources of renewable energy since 2019. Over the years, the onshore wind energy capacity has increased steadily, rising from 2.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2000 to more than 153 GW in 2024.
Per a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), wind power output accounted for 10% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2024, reflecting an increase of 6.4% from the previous year. In March and April 2024, electricity generated from wind energy surpassed coal-fired generation for two consecutive months for the first time in U.S. history.
The significant growth in U.S. wind generation capacity has led to a major swing in the generation mix. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report reflects that wind power accounted for roughly 27% of capacity additions on average to the U.S. power system since 2010.
The wind energy market is benefiting from multiple trends, including growing electricity demand driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered data centers, widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and rapid urbanization. Per the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook published by EIA, the U.S. grid is projected to add 7.7 GW of wind generation capacity in 2025, reflecting an increase from 5.1 GW added last year.
If you intend to capitalize on this buzzing trend, our Wind Energy Thematic Screen could make it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) , OGE Energy Corp. (OGE - Free Report) , Portland General Electric Company (POR - Free Report) and Arcosa, Inc. (ACA - Free Report) . By leveraging advanced tools, our thematic screens identify companies shaping the future, making it easier to benefit from emerging trends.
Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 30 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
4 Wind Energy Stocks to Keep an Eye on
Arcosa is a manufacturer of infrastructure-related products and services that serve the energy, construction and transportation markets. The company’s Engineered Structures business provides wind towers, utility structures and telecommunication structures for wind power generation, electricity transmission and distribution, and wireless communication markets.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is benefiting from solid demand for its wind towers and engineered structures. The Engineered Structures business is witnessing robust orders for its utility structures, driven by increasing grid hardening and reliability initiatives. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been a significant growth catalyst for ACA’s wind towers business. Since the passage of the act, the company has grabbed $1.1 billion worth of new orders through 2028. A significant portion of these orders will cater to the wind energy expansion projects in the Southwest.
Driven by robust orders and a strong backlog level, Arcosa unveiled a new plant in New Mexico and started delivering towers from the facility in 2024. With positive trends in the wind energy market, Arcosa also remains well-positioned to benefit from the growing requirement for load enhancements in the United States.
Portland General Electric is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. The company has more than a century of experience in power delivery. POR generates power primarily from wind, solar and hydropower. Portland General Electric currently operates four wind farms, six thermal plants and seven hydroelectric facilities.
The Zacks Rank #2 company is witnessing solid industrial load growth, driven by high-tech and data center customers. To further expand its renewable portfolio, POR plans to add a significant clean power generation asset over the long term. Portland General Electric’s major capital projects continue to proceed per plan and the addition of new renewable projects continues to boost its renewable portfolio.
The company’s focus on projects related to upgrades across its transmission and distribution systems is expected to support its long-term growth.
NextEra Energy is a public utility holding company engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s competitive energy business, NextEra Energy Resources LLC (“NEER”), is the world’s leading generator of wind energy, based on MWh produced on a net generation basis.
NEER successfully added 1,365 MW of new wind generating capacity and 755 MW of battery storage capacity in 2024, thereby increasing its backlog of contracted renewable development projects. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the business operated wind facilities in 23 U.S. states and four provinces in Canada, carrying a total generating capacity of approximately 26,335 MW.
To further expand its renewable portfolio, NEER plans to add a significant clean power generation asset across the United States over the 2024–2027 time frame. In first-quarter 2025, NEER had nearly 3.2 GW of renewable projects in the existing backlog.
OGE Energy is the largest electric utility in Oklahoma. The company has been investing steadily to expand its renewable generation assets. As of Dec. 31, 2024, it owned the 120 megawatts (MW) Centennial, 101 MW OU Spirit and 228 MW Crossroads wind farms.
This Zacks Rank #3 company offers the Renewable Energy Credit purchase program, the Green Power Wind Rider and the Utility Solar Program, which are rate options that make renewable energy resources available as a voluntary option to all OG&E (wholly-owned subsidiary of OGE Energy) Oklahoma retail customers. OG&E aims to continue to deploy more renewable energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases. Such initiatives should further boost OGE Energy’s renewable energy portfolio.
To further promote clean energy, the company has also been focused on reducing its carbon emission load. To this end, OG&E's current business strategy has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60% compared with the 2005 level. Emissions of ozone-forming nitrogen oxide have been reduced by approximately 80% and emissions of sulfur dioxide by around 95%.
Image: Bigstock
Top Wind Energy Stocks to Keep an Eye on For Solid Returns
Key Takeaways
An updated edition of the April 29, 2025 article.
With rising global awareness and government pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, renewable sources of energy have taken over fossil fuels for power generation. Industries have increasingly been focusing on sustainability initiatives to move ahead in their path to net-zero emissions. Also, automakers are rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles as part of their sustainability goals.
Among various alternative energy sources, wind power stands out as a key driver of the clean energy transition. In the United States, wind energy generates a record share of electricity production, making it one of the largest sources of renewable energy since 2019. Over the years, the onshore wind energy capacity has increased steadily, rising from 2.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2000 to more than 153 GW in 2024.
Per a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), wind power output accounted for 10% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2024, reflecting an increase of 6.4% from the previous year. In March and April 2024, electricity generated from wind energy surpassed coal-fired generation for two consecutive months for the first time in U.S. history.
The significant growth in U.S. wind generation capacity has led to a major swing in the generation mix. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report reflects that wind power accounted for roughly 27% of capacity additions on average to the U.S. power system since 2010.
The wind energy market is benefiting from multiple trends, including growing electricity demand driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered data centers, widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and rapid urbanization. Per the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook published by EIA, the U.S. grid is projected to add 7.7 GW of wind generation capacity in 2025, reflecting an increase from 5.1 GW added last year.
If you intend to capitalize on this buzzing trend, our Wind Energy Thematic Screen could make it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) , OGE Energy Corp. (OGE - Free Report) , Portland General Electric Company (POR - Free Report) and Arcosa, Inc. (ACA - Free Report) . By leveraging advanced tools, our thematic screens identify companies shaping the future, making it easier to benefit from emerging trends.
Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 30 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
4 Wind Energy Stocks to Keep an Eye on
Arcosa is a manufacturer of infrastructure-related products and services that serve the energy, construction and transportation markets. The company’s Engineered Structures business provides wind towers, utility structures and telecommunication structures for wind power generation, electricity transmission and distribution, and wireless communication markets.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is benefiting from solid demand for its wind towers and engineered structures. The Engineered Structures business is witnessing robust orders for its utility structures, driven by increasing grid hardening and reliability initiatives. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been a significant growth catalyst for ACA’s wind towers business. Since the passage of the act, the company has grabbed $1.1 billion worth of new orders through 2028. A significant portion of these orders will cater to the wind energy expansion projects in the Southwest.
Driven by robust orders and a strong backlog level, Arcosa unveiled a new plant in New Mexico and started delivering towers from the facility in 2024. With positive trends in the wind energy market, Arcosa also remains well-positioned to benefit from the growing requirement for load enhancements in the United States.
Portland General Electric is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. The company has more than a century of experience in power delivery. POR generates power primarily from wind, solar and hydropower. Portland General Electric currently operates four wind farms, six thermal plants and seven hydroelectric facilities.
The Zacks Rank #2 company is witnessing solid industrial load growth, driven by high-tech and data center customers. To further expand its renewable portfolio, POR plans to add a significant clean power generation asset over the long term. Portland General Electric’s major capital projects continue to proceed per plan and the addition of new renewable projects continues to boost its renewable portfolio.
The company’s focus on projects related to upgrades across its transmission and distribution systems is expected to support its long-term growth.
NextEra Energy is a public utility holding company engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s competitive energy business, NextEra Energy Resources LLC (“NEER”), is the world’s leading generator of wind energy, based on MWh produced on a net generation basis.
NEER successfully added 1,365 MW of new wind generating capacity and 755 MW of battery storage capacity in 2024, thereby increasing its backlog of contracted renewable development projects. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the business operated wind facilities in 23 U.S. states and four provinces in Canada, carrying a total generating capacity of approximately 26,335 MW.
To further expand its renewable portfolio, NEER plans to add a significant clean power generation asset across the United States over the 2024–2027 time frame. In first-quarter 2025, NEER had nearly 3.2 GW of renewable projects in the existing backlog.
OGE Energy is the largest electric utility in Oklahoma. The company has been investing steadily to expand its renewable generation assets. As of Dec. 31, 2024, it owned the 120 megawatts (MW) Centennial, 101 MW OU Spirit and 228 MW Crossroads wind farms.
This Zacks Rank #3 company offers the Renewable Energy Credit purchase program, the Green Power Wind Rider and the Utility Solar Program, which are rate options that make renewable energy resources available as a voluntary option to all OG&E (wholly-owned subsidiary of OGE Energy) Oklahoma retail customers. OG&E aims to continue to deploy more renewable energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases. Such initiatives should further boost OGE Energy’s renewable energy portfolio.
To further promote clean energy, the company has also been focused on reducing its carbon emission load. To this end, OG&E's current business strategy has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60% compared with the 2005 level. Emissions of ozone-forming nitrogen oxide have been reduced by approximately 80% and emissions of sulfur dioxide by around 95%.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.