10. Wind
G. Wind Development Costs
Technological improvements have reduced the capital costs and
operating and maintenance costs associated with wind energy
development. Several of the new turbines, which range in capacity
from 275 to 600 kilowatts, reportedly produce electricity for as
little as 5 or less per kilowatthour.(11)(12)(13) The Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) currently estimates that by the year 2005 the installed cost
for total plant investment will be $620 per kilowatt of capacity,
a decrease of $452 per kilowatt from the 1993 projection.(14) The Energy Information
Administration's Annual Energy Outlook 1995 also assumes that costs
will continue to decline as new plants are built in the future.
Return to Table of
Contents
* * *