How does wind power compare with other renewable energy technologies suitable for decentralized rural electrification?
Wind power is very competitive with photovoltaics, biomass, and diesel generators, but is usually more expensive than micro-hydro. It is also very attractive for its jobs creation potential and the ease with which its technology can be transferred to developing countries. In the big picture, wind power complements these other power sources by providing a least cost approach under certain conditions. This expands the scope of potential projects, pointing to the day when decentralized electrification projects will be implemented on the same scale as current grid extension projects. In many situations the lowest cost centralized system will be a hybrid system that combines wind, photovoltaics and diesel power.
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