Review of offshore wind farm cost components

This paper reviews the data available in the bibliography relative to most important economical factors in an offshore wind farm, including the acquisition/installation of wind turbines and foundations, electrical infrastructure, design and project management, and operation/maintenance. These data are necessary to carry out any profitability analysis, or optimization procedure. In order to establish a common reference, prices have been translated into a unique currency and taken to the present year. Taking into account these considerations, the paper presents an estimation of the different costs as a function of the farm size. Finally, the main cost drivers affecting the capital and operating expenditures are presented and discussed.