Wind Energy Careers in South America

South America has strong wind resources and a growing installed base, led by Brazil. Chile, Uruguay and Argentina also have important wind potential. The market is less mature than Europe, North America or China, but it has major long-term potential if electricity demand, grid investment, market design and policy support improve. Offshore wind is still at an early stage.

Latin America could more than double its onshore wind capacity by 2035, potentially exceeding 120 GW, while offshore wind could begin to scale in the 2030s. However, the region faces challenges around policy uncertainty, infrastructure, financing and supply chain concentration.

Brazil is the region’s leading wind market, but recent growth has slowed. Brazil added 3.3 GW of wind across 76 new wind farms in 2024, down from 4.8 GW the previous year, with recovery expected later in the decade.

South America’s wind employment market is led by Brazil, where there is an established onshore wind sector and a meaningful operational fleet. Chile has strong renewable energy ambitions, especially where wind can support mining, industrial demand and green hydrogen. Uruguay has already integrated a high share of renewables into its power system, while Argentina has good resources but a more challenging investment environment.

Colombia has major wind potential, particularly in La Guajira, but project delivery has been difficult. Grid limitations, regulatory delays, community consultation and social licence issues have slowed projects.

South America has strong long-term potential, but employment growth may be uneven. Brazil’s slowdown shows that even strong wind markets can be affected by demand, grid and curtailment issues. Supply chain risk is also real: reduced demand in Latin America has already affected manufacturing jobs, including blade production.

For workers, the best prospects are likely to be in Brazil’s operational market, Chile’s renewables and hydrogen-linked growth, and specialist roles that help projects overcome grid, permitting and community barriers.