Wind power generation is a growing industry, creating more job opportunities for Wind Turbine Technicians. However, the industry consists of several companies and organizations, each with different roles and functions. In this article, we'll review the key players in the wind power sector and highlight the job opportunities they offer for wind turbine technicians. 
 

An Overview of Wind Power Technology

Wind turbines have evolved over time, with modern machines designed for maximum efficiency and durability. Today’s turbines are large, advanced systems capable of harnessing wind energy more effectively than ever before. These turbines are strategically placed in locations where wind speeds are optimal, ensuring consistent and reliable power generation. As the technology advances, wind power continues to play a key role in sustainable energy production. 
 

Industry Organization

The wind industry is split into manufacturers, wind farm developers, wind farm installers/builders, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) providers. You might argue there’s also a fifth group, the utility companies who buy the power produced.
In some cases these overlap. Many of the companies that build wind turbines offer O&M services to wind farm operators. These operators may be the utility companies themselves, or they could be independent wind farm operators.
Operators may also develop their own wind farms, or they may agree to take over the operation of a farm for a developer. They can also set up their own O&M organizations. And a power utility company could do everything except manufacture the turbines.

1. Wind Farm Developers

These companies focus on planning, financing, and building wind energy projects across North America.

Invenergy

Revenue: Estimated $3.3 Billion (2022)
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Overview: A global developer of wind, solar, and energy storage projects. Invenergy has developed over 25 GW of renewable energy worldwide and employs more than 1,500 people.

Clean Line Energy Partners

Revenue: Estimated $1 Billion (2021)
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Overview: Specializes in developing long-distance transmission lines to connect renewable energy sources, especially wind farms, to power grids.

Pattern Energy

Revenue: $1.4 Billion (2022)
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Overview: Focuses on wind and solar development, with over 5,000 MW of renewable energy projects completed. Employs 300+ people.

Apex Clean Energy

Revenue: Estimated $600 Million (2022)
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Overview: Develops large-scale wind and solar projects across the U.S., with over 4,000 MW of wind capacity and more than 200 employees.

2. Wind Farm Operators

These companies are responsible for managing and operating wind energy assets to ensure reliable, long-term power generation.

EDP Renewables North America

Revenue: $1.7 Billion (EDP Group Consolidated, 2022)
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Overview: Operates more than 5,000 MW of renewable energy capacity across North America. Subsidiary of EDP Group and employs 1,000+ people regionally.

EDF Renewable Energy

Revenue: $3.3 Billion (EDF Group Consolidated, 2022)
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Overview: Manages over 3,000 MW of wind power in the U.S. and Canada, and employs over 1,400 people in North America. A major force in the clean energy transition.

3. Wind Energy O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Providers

These companies specialize in keeping wind farms operational through regular maintenance, repairs, and performance optimization.

BHI Energy

Revenue: Estimated $500 Million (2022)
Location: Ballston Spa, New York, USA
Overview: One of North America’s largest independent O&M service providers, supporting turbine maintenance and troubleshooting across the continent. Employs over 4,000 people.

Companies with Multi-Sector Impact

Some companies operate across multiple segments of the wind energy value chain—manufacturing, development, operations, and maintenance—and are recognized as industry leaders due to their integrated capabilities.
 

GE Renewable EnergySectors: Manufacturer, O&M Provider

Revenue: $19.8 Billion (2022)
Employees: ~40,000
Location: Schenectady, New York, USA
Overview: A global leader in renewable energy technologies, GE Renewable Energy offers both onshore and offshore wind turbines, as well as extensive O&M services. The company’s innovations and services help maintain turbine performance and support energy transition initiatives worldwide.

NextEra Energy

Sectors: Developer, Operator
Revenue: $17 Billion (2022)
Employees: 15,000+
Location: Juno Beach, Florida, USA
Overview: The largest generator of renewable energy in North America, NextEra Energy develops and operates one of the most extensive portfolios of wind and solar projects. The company leads the industry in advancing clean energy infrastructure and innovation.

Vestas

Sectors: Manufacturer, O&M Provider
Revenue: €15.6 Billion ($17.3 Billion USD, 2022)
Employees: ~29,000
Location: Aarhus, Denmark
Overview: A global leader in wind turbine manufacturing with a strong presence in North America. Vestas also provides long-term service agreements and O&M solutions, ensuring the performance of thousands of installed turbines across the region.

Siemens Gamesa

Sectors: Manufacturer, O&M Provider
Revenue: €10.2 Billion ($11 Billion USD, 2022)
Employees: ~24,000
Location: Madrid, Spain / Munich, Germany
Overview: Siemens Gamesa designs and manufactures wind turbines and offers comprehensive maintenance solutions. The company is a key contributor to the growth of renewable energy in North America, particularly in utility-scale wind.

Opportunities for Wind Turbine Technicians

As the wind power industry continues to expand, the demand for skilled wind turbine technicians grows. These technicians play a critical role in ensuring the successful operation of wind turbines, with various opportunities depending on the specific responsibilities within the company.

Technicians working in wind turbine manufacturing or wind farm development typically focus on the installation and commissioning of turbines. This involves ensuring that turbines are properly set up and optimized for performance. Technicians may be involved in tasks such as assembly, wiring, calibration, and testing the systems before they go live. These roles often require problem-solving skills to address technical challenges during the installation phase.

In Operations and Maintenance (O&M) roles, technicians are responsible for the ongoing service and upkeep of turbines. This includes regular inspections, troubleshooting, repairing mechanical or electrical issues, and replacing faulty components. O&M technicians must have a strong understanding of turbine systems and advanced diagnostic skills to quickly identify and fix issues that may arise during the turbine’s operational life.

For those working with independent O&M companies, the work can vary even more. Technicians may be called upon to perform specialized repairs or upgrades to turbines across different projects, requiring adaptability and expertise in multiple turbine models. These technicians often need to stay current on new technologies and maintenance techniques to keep up with evolving turbine designs.

In all of these roles, the work is highly technical and requires a deep understanding of wind turbine systems. For aspiring wind turbine technicians, it’s important to understand the specific type of work each role entails and align that with their skill set and career interests.

More Information

For anyone interested in learning more about the wind power industry and the associated career opportunities, wind technician blog has reports on industry news and trends.

Ready to Launch Your Career as a Wind Turbine Technician? Explore George Brown College’s online Wind Turbine Technician training program—designed to prepare you for success in one of the fastest-growing clean energy careers. Learn at your own pace with industry-relevant curriculum and virtual simulations.