Wind Turbine Characteristics and Costs 1982-95

This report describes the development in both wind turbine characteristics and costs of energy over the peiod 1982-95. The survery is based on issues of "Vindmølleoversigten", which describes the properties of all types of turbines, which have been approved for operation.

The survey shows a general decrease in levelized production costs from 1980-95. This development, however, covers a dramatic fall in costs of energy during the years 1980-87 and from then on almost no reduction. From 1982 to 1995 average rated power has increased nine fold, energy production almost 10 fold, but prices of turbines have risen accordingly. Figures of 1995 have shown a significant decrease in cost of energy to a level of 0.42 DKK/kWh corresponding to 0.058 ECU/kWh.

The survey indicates that the ratio turbine models/producers has risen drastically mainly due to the limited number of producers present on the wind turbine market today.