POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF A WIND POWER PLANT IN CIUDAD JUÁREZ, MEXICO

Abstract

This study investigated the wind energy potential of Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua, Mexico) for an entire year. The viability of using three small-scale wind turbine models, including S-343, Bergey BWC Excel, and AOC 15/50, in Ciudad Juarez, situated in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua in Mexico, was studied in the first stage using RETScreen software. The performance of these three turbine models was subjected to a sensitivity analysis in the next stage of the study, using the three economic scenarios defined, assuming a 7% inflation rate, 9% discount rate, 7% fuel cost escalation rate, and 20-year project duration. Finally, the economic circumstances under which these turbines operate in Ciudad Juarez are discussed. The findings suggest that the study site is not economically appropriate and not even for installing small wind turbines. Finally, it was suggested that the viability of adopting alternative renewable energy systems, such as solar and hybrid systems (photovoltaic wind), should be examined in future studies in Ciudad Juárez.