Abstract

In 2019, Puerto Rico codified into law a 100% renewable electricity by 2050 target. Decision makers there need information about the costs and performance of wind energy technologies to incorporate into planning efforts for the future grid. After consulting with key technical stakeholders and accounting for unique conditions in Puerto Rico like increased hurricane risks, we customize NREL's Renewable Energy Potential model to calculate how capital expenditures, operational expenditures, net annual energy generation, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) vary in time and space for wind energy projects around Puerto Rico. Wind turbines can add value by providing grid services through grid-forming inverters and complement solar energy generation with evening and nighttime electricity production, especially offshore. By 2035, we expect average costs of land-based and offshore wind energy in Puerto Rico to reach $69/MWh (6.9 cents/kWh) and $100/MWh (10 cents/kWh), respectively. While these projections do not include transmission system upgrade costs, they do suggest that low-cost, clean electricity is possible for Puerto Rico.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages104
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/TP-5000-83434

Keywords

  • LCOE
  • levelized cost of energy
  • offshore wind
  • Puerto Rico
  • technical potential
  • techno-economic analysis
  • wind energy
  • wind energy costs

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