An adaptive second order sliding mode control strategy is explored in this work, to maximize the energy extracted from the wind in a wind energy conversion system (WECS). It is required to such strategy to deal with the nonlinear nature of the WECS, the randomness of the wind speed, model uncertainties and external disturbances, and also with the need to reduce mechanical loads. The special features of this adaptive technique together with the robustness, relative simplicity and other desirable inherent characteristics of the super-twisting algorithm make the proposed controller an attractive solution. The suitability of the proposed strategy is proved by extensive computer aided simulations employing a comprehensive model of the system.