How Much Does A Wind Turbine Cost In 2023?
“How much does a wind turbine cost? “
Is this something that you have been searching for? If your answer is a YES, then you have reached the right place.
Wind turbines are one of the most important parts of generating renewable energy these days. These turbines generate electric energy by converting wind energy. It is undoubtedly one of the best things that has happened for the better.
However, what are the things that you need to keep in mind when dealing with such turbines? If that is something that has crossed your mind, then you will find this article to be of help.
Keep reading this blog till the end to learn more…
Answering The Most Asked, “How Much Does A Wind Turbine Cost?”
The total project cost will depend on many factors, including the cost of the turbine itself, the extent and scope of supporting environmental work for the planning application, the cost of any electrical distribution network (‘grid’) upgrades, and the cost of site works including access roads, foundation, and cabling costs.
There are economies of scale so larger turbines cost less per kW installed than smaller ones, and single turbine sites cost more per kW than multiple turbine sites.
| 100 kW | Norvento nED100 | £405 k |
| 800 kW | Enercon E53 | £1.03 million |
| 1 MW | EWT DW61 | £1.25 million |
| 3 MW | Enercon E82 | £2.33 million |
| 3.5 MW | Enercon E126 EP3 | £3.13 million |
What Does The Cost Of Wind Turbines Depend On?
Now that you know about the average cost of a wind turbine, it is time for you to learn about the things or factors upon which the cost of a wind turbine depends. Here are some of them that you should keep in mind:
- The efficiencies of the wind generator
- The height of the blades of the turbine
- The average speed of the wind in that area
- The location of the installation
Types Of Wind Turbines!
The cost of the wind turbines also depends and varies largely on their type. For example, there are two different types of wind turbines. They are as follows:
- Roof Mounted
- Free Standing
Take a look at this portion of the article to get a better understanding of the same…
What Is The Cost To Operate A Wind Turbine?
All of the major wind turbine manufacturers offer long-term warranty and maintenance packages for 5 to 15 years (depending on turbine size and manufacturer) which we would always recommend using. The other significant cost to operate wind turbines to consider are business rates and insurance.
There are all sorts of subtleties to how these costs are calculated, but at a very basic level, the table below will give a good indication of the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) cost for a single wind turbine.
| Maximum Power Output | Typical Turbine Type | Annual O&M* Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 kW | Norvento nED100 | £9k |
| 900 kW | EWT DW52/54 | £36k |
| 1 MW | EWT DW61 | £45k |
| 3 MW | Enercon E82 | £86k |
| 3.5 MW | Enercon E126 EP3 | £174k |
How Long Will A Wind Turbine Last?
The design life of a good quality modern wind turbine is 20 years. Depending on how windy and turbulent the site is, the turbine could last for 25 years or even longer, though as with anything mechanical, the maintenance costs will increase as it gets older.
It is unlikely that a wind turbine would last longer than this because they are subjected to quite extreme loads throughout their lives. This is partly due to the shape of a wind turbine, where the key elements (the blades and the tower) are only fixed at one end and subjected to the full force of the wind.
Also because the power in the wind increases with the cube of the speed, the extreme survival loads can be almost 100 times the ‘design loads’ at rated wind speed – which is why wind turbines must shut down to protect themselves in winds above 25 m/s. At the end of its life, it can simply be removed and replaced with a new one.
How Much Energy Can A Wind Turbine Generate?
Energy is everything; whereas power cannot be sold (at least not in the context of wind power), energy is available for sale. People frequently become fixated on wanting a wind turbine to produce the most power possible, although this is really rather irrelevant.
When you sell electricity, you get paid based on how many kWh (kilowatt-hours) you sell, not how much power you actually produce. Power is the rate at which work can be done, whereas energy is the capacity to accomplish work. It is similar to the difference between miles and miles-per-hour in that they are obviously linked yet fundamentally distinct.
The amount of wind energy that can be generated depends mainly on the size of the wind turbine and the annual average wind speed at the site. There are some other factors that affect energy captures such as nearby hills, trees, and buildings (or other wind turbines) that could obstruct the wind and the efficiency of the wind turbine itself.
Assuming your turbine has been well-sited and is from a good quality manufacturer the most important factor will be the annual average wind speed.
Wrapping It Up!
In case you were searching for the answer to “how much does a wind turbine cost,” I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same feel free to let me know.
All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then drop your suggestions and queries in the comment box below. And I will be there to answer them all for you!
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