Economic feasibility study for the repowering of La V enta I and La V enta II wind farms in Mexico

Abstract

This paper presents an economic feasibility study for the repowering of the La Venta I and La Venta II wind farms. First, an analysis of the wind resource of the site is presented, the monthly wind profile, wind rose and the wind distribution are presented. After the turbulence class and wind class according to the IEC 61400 standard is determined, then it is chosen a wind turbine suitable for the site. The annual energy production (PAE) is determined, after a comparison of the PAE is made before and after the repowering. Then the PAE is estimated including losses for the new wind farms. Also, the design of the electrical infrastructure is performed, the selection of cables and transformers is made, then the energy losses by the cables are calculated. Finally, an economic viability study of the wind farm is presented, revealing as a result that the project yields satisfactory profitability. In addition, the return on investment occurs in less than six and a half years.