Electricity Costs and Economics Databook: 2015 to 2025

Section 1: Front Page Lead Data Table and Quote Table 15: Lazard capital cost estimates for generating technologies ($/kW), 2015 A different look at capital costs in the USA is provided by Table 15. These are based on Lazard’s most recent analysis of electricity costs. While broadly similar to those in the previous table, there are notable differences. As in the US EIA analysis, Lazard found that the cheapest plants to build were those based on gas turbines. A combined cycle power plant had an estimated cost of $1,150/kW (the figures in the table are un-weighted averages of the ranges quoted by Lazard and in most cases plants can cost both significantly more and significantly less). A peaking gas turbine, meanwhile, has a cost of $900/kW. Both figures are somewhat higher than those in Table 14.

Section 4: Key benefits from reading this databook Realize up to date competitive intelligence through a comprehensive power cost analysis in electricity power generation markets. Assess power generation costs and analysis – including capital costs, overnight costs, levelized costs and risk analysis. Identify which key trends will offer the greatest growth potential and learn which technology trends are likely to allow greater market impact. Quantify capital and levelized cost trends and how these vary regionally..

Section 7: Key questions answered by this report What are the drivers shaping and influencing power plant development in the electricity industry? What is power generation going to cost? Which power generation technology types will be the winners and which the losers in terms power generated, cost and viability? Which power generation types are likely to find favour with manufacturers moving forward? Which emerging technologies are gaining in popularity and why?

Section 8: Key areas covered by the report Key products/categories profiled: Energy Electricity Costs and Economics – capital costs and capital cost trends, particularly within the main renewable technologies, levelized costs and historical levelized cost trends, historical costs of electricity and fuel costs and fuel cost trends. Key regions/countries covered: Europe and United States of America. Global focus.

Section 9: Research methodology Methodology: Secondary research This has been conducted by Paul Breeze – an energy specialist for 25 years. He has gathered together an unique set of studies and research papers to present a comprehensive cost analysis of power generation. In all, the report cites over 30 separate sources to determine the economic competitiveness and future potential for power generation technologies.

Section 10: Author biography and contact details Name: Dr Paul Breeze Biography: Dr Paul Breeze has specialized in the electricity sector for the past 28 years. He is contributing editor for the monthly international magazine for the power industry, Modern Power Systems, and as freelance writer he has contributed to The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Observer and The Economist. In addition to the power sector, Paul Breeze’s interests include science and the computer industry.