Abstract

In this study, the results of the analysis carried out about wind energy potentials in the western provinces of Cuba are shown. Wind characteristics were analyzed using the wind speed data collected from four meteorological stations, selecting for this study, the station with the maximum annual mean wind speed. A technical assessment has been made of electricity generation from three wind turbines having a capacity of (275 kW, 750 kW, and 850 kW), respectively. The yearly energy output for three different turbines was calculated, with the wind data of the meteorological station selected. The production cost of the kWh of wind energy generated with the different machines and the economical variables, such as the payback (PBA) and the net present value (NPV), have been determined for each one, taking for this economic analysis two different costs for kW of wind energy installed: national and international average. The conclusions show that, the production costs of the kWh of wind energy generated in this country is expensive, due to its high generation price, since they are conditioned by high installation costs and the use of turbines with low power of generation.