Study on the current cost situation of wind energy use in Germany 2002; Studie zur aktuellen Kostensituation der Windenergienutzung in Deutschland 2002

Between 1998 and 2001, the total cost of wind energy projects dropped by 7 % and wind turbine prices were reduced by 9 %. This is the most important result of a survey carried out to determine the current cost situation of wind turbines. In this survey, the investment costs of approximately 400 wind energy projects were evaluated. The cost situation of wind turbines had last been assessed in a study carried out by DEWI in 1999. The current investigation focuses on projects realised between 1998 and 2001 and includes a sufficient number of the new large-size wind turbines of 1.5 MW and more. The study largely confirms the values for total investment, additional expenses and turbine prices established in 1999. In contrast to 1999, the specific cost factors in the present study are no longer referred to the generator performance of a wind turbine, but to the energy produced during one year at the reference site in MWh{sub a}, since only by this method the technical improvements of the turbine made during the past years can be made clear. The results mentioned here refer to a relatively short operating period, especially as far as the new generation of wind turbines is concerned, so that in particular for the large-size turbines there are hardly any values for maintenance and operation beyond the warranty period. (orig.)