{"id":17555,"date":"2011-03-07T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2011-03-07T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/planetsave.com\/?p=17555"},"modified":"2011-03-07T10:00:40","modified_gmt":"2011-03-07T15:00:40","slug":"wind-energy-now-cost-competitive-with-coal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/planetsave.com\/articles\/wind-energy-now-cost-competitive-with-coal\/","title":{"rendered":"Wind Energy Now Cost-Competitive with Coal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"wind<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps not in your part of the world, but according to the latest report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, in many parts of the world,\u00a0onshore <\/a>wind power<\/a> is now completely cost-competitive with\u00a0coal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Over the past several years, the\u00a0demand for wind turbines has increased. As a result, manufacturers have been able to lower their prices on wind turbines and turbine parts and continue to make money because of the increased quantity being sold.<\/p>\n

As a result, the\u00a0overall price of wind power has fallen, and all indications are that it will continue to remain and gain competitive standing with fossil fuel power….<\/p>\n

<\/ins><\/ins><\/p>\n

In certain regions of Brazil, Mexico, Sweden and even the United States, wind power now costs $68\/MWh. Coal power in those same regions is $67\/MWh, so the differential is shrinking quickly.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, in those same regions, natural gas still remains the most economical choice at just $56\/MWh, so look forward to more fracking debate in the near future.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now, take the\u00a0total cost of coal<\/a> (including the health costs) into account, and I’m sure wind power looks even better.<\/p>\n

This is awesome news, especially for those of us who received a $539 power bill this month courtesy of\u00a0AEP<\/a> in West Virginia (the \u201cCoal State”).\u00a0AEP says it\u2019s due to the\u00a0high coal prices\u00a0it is paying — seems a little odd to me, since it\u00a0owns its own coal mine.<\/p>\n

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