How much does a wind turbine cost per unit? How much electricity can be generated in a day and how long can it be recouped

1、 Cost of Wind Turbine Generator System
Small household wind turbine generator set (1-3KW)
The unit price is about 10000-20000 yuan, suitable for home or small off grid scenarios. For example, a brand of 3KW household wind turbine from Dezhou, Shandong quoted 7800 yuan.
Medium sized commercial wind turbines (50-250KW)
The cost is about 500000 to 3.5 million yuan, suitable for industrial parks or small and medium-sized wind farms. For example, a vertical axis wind turbine (30KW) supplied by a manufacturer in Wuxi, Jiangsu is priced at 263200 yuan.
Large industrial wind turbines (1.5MW-16MW)
1.5-6MW model: The cost of a single unit is about 8-10 million yuan, including tower and installation costs. For example, in the 2025-2026 centralized procurement project of China National Nuclear Corporation, the lowest bidding price is 1263 yuan/kW (calculated at 1.5MW, about 1.8945 million yuan per unit, but this is the centralized procurement price and the actual total cost is higher).
16MW offshore wind turbine unit: The cost of a single unit is about 50-60 million yuan, and the domestication rate of the whole machine exceeds 99%. For example, the total cost of the 18MW unit of Huaneng Group is higher, but the power generation efficiency has significantly improved.
Hidden costs
Tower and foundation: The pile foundation of the 2MW tower column requires 2 million yuan.
Installation and construction: The comprehensive cost of EPC is about 3.1 yuan/watt (taking a 2MW unit as an example, the installation cost is about 6.2 million yuan).
Transportation cost: The freight cost in mountainous areas can reach three times that of plains, and the premium for imported equipment exceeds 30%.
2、 Daily power generation and annual power generation
Theoretical power generation
2MW model: When the annual utilization hours are 2000 hours (5.5 hours per day), the annual power generation is about 4 million kWh, and the daily power generation is about 11000 kWh.
16MW offshore wind turbine unit: generates 34.2 kWh per revolution when fully operational, with an annual power generation of approximately 66 million kWh and a daily average power generation of approximately 181000 kWh.
18MW offshore wind turbine: When fully operational, it generates 44 kWh per revolution, with an annual power generation of approximately 74 million kWh and a daily average power generation of approximately 203000 kWh.
Factors affecting actual power generation
Wind speed fluctuation: The actual annual utilization hours may be lower than the design value (such as an average of about 1800-2200 hours for onshore wind farms).
Equipment efficiency: Variable speed constant frequency units have higher wind energy utilization rates, but also higher maintenance requirements.
3、 Return time
Theoretical calculation
2MW onshore wind farm:
Total investment: Equipment cost of 12 million yuan+infrastructure installation of 18 million yuan (calculated based on EPC 3.1 yuan/watt) ≈ 30 million yuan.
Annual income: Calculated based on a price of 0.5 yuan/kWh and an annual power generation of 4 million kWh, the annual income is approximately 2 million yuan.
Return time: Assuming a net profit margin of 50% (excluding operations, depreciation, etc.), an annual net profit of approximately 1 million yuan, and a return period of approximately 30 years.
16MW offshore wind turbine:
Total investment: Approximately 50-60 million yuan per unit.
Annual income: Calculated based on an electricity price of 0.75 yuan/kWh and an annual power generation of 66 million kWh, the annual income is approximately 49.5 million yuan.
Repayment time: Assuming a net profit margin of 30%, an annual net profit of approximately 14.85 million yuan, and a payback period of approximately 4-5 years (although offshore wind power operation and maintenance costs are higher and may actually be extended).
Actual influencing factors
Policy subsidies: Local subsidies can significantly shorten the payback period. For example, Guangdong provides a subsidy of 500 yuan/kW for grid connected projects before 2024, while Shandong implements gradient subsidies (800-400 yuan/kW).
Electricity price fluctuation: If the electricity price decreases (such as from 0.5 yuan/kWh to 0.3 yuan/kWh), the payback period will be extended.
Operation and maintenance costs: The annual operation and maintenance costs of offshore wind power can reach 2-3 times that of onshore wind power, and the operation and maintenance costs of onshore wind power in remote areas are also higher.
Loan interest: If the project relies on loans, interest expenses may be extended back to the current period by 1-3 years.
4、 Summary of Key Influencing Factors
Power and model: Large units have lower single watt costs, but higher initial investment. For example, the 6.25MW+model can reduce marginal costs.
Geographical conditions: Offshore wind power generation efficiency is 20% -40% higher than onshore, but construction costs are 30% -50% higher.
Policy support: After the subsidy is reduced, project revenue is more dependent on electricity prices and power generation.
Technological upgrade: High power density design, intelligent steering system, etc. can improve power generation efficiency by more than 10%.
5、 Typical Case Reference
Onshore wind power: The total investment for a 1.5MW unit is about 10 million yuan, with an annual revenue of over 10 million yuan (including subsidies) and a payback period of about 3 years.
Offshore wind power: The annual power generation of 18MW units can meet the needs of 40000 households, but the cost of a single unit exceeds 50 million yuan, and long-term electricity price contracts need to be combined to ensure revenue.
Data source explanation: The data in this article is comprehensive from the centralized procurement announcement of China National Nuclear Corporation, project reports of Huaneng Group, industry analysis reports, and manufacturer quotations. Actual investment needs to be evaluated based on specific project conditions.