Energy generation costs from wind energy in Germany

The costs of electric energy generation from wind energy in Germany have been reduced considerably during the last years. Depending on infrastructure costs, legal tarif structure and based on ten years operation time which guarantees at the moment 0.1693 DM/kWh (about 0.10 US Dollar/kWh), it is possible to benefit from a 500 kW wind turbine at sites with wind speeds above 5.8 m/s measured at 10 m height without any subsidies. Including subsidies of 17% of the total project investment the necessary site wind speed may be reduced to 5.4 m/s. In the present situation the 500 and 600 kW turbines are the most economic compared to the smaller sizes from 100 kW to about 300 kW. For a continuous development of wind energy it is necessary to guarantee the tarif structure for the future and to grant public subsidies for sites with wind speeds lower than 5.8 m/s. (orig.)