Comparison of costs of different electricity generation sources
For the price of electricity, see electricity pricing.
Different methods of electricity generation can incur a variety of different costs, which can be divided into three general categories: 1) wholesale costs, or all costs paid by utilities associated with acquiring and distributing electricity to consumers, 2) retail costs paid by consumers, and 3) external costs, or externalities, imposed on society.
Wholesale costs include initial capital, operations & maintenance (O&M), transmission, and costs of decommissioning. Depending on the local regulatory environment, some or all wholesale costs may be passed through to consumers. These are costs per unit of energy, typically represented as dollars/megawatt hour (wholesale). The calculations also assist governments in making decisions regarding energy policy.
On average the levelized cost of electricity from utility scale solar power and onshore wind power is less than from coal and gas-fired power stations,[1]: TS-25 but this varies a lot depending on location.[2]: 6–65
^"WG III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
^"Working Group III Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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