Meanwhile, when it comes to onshore turbines, size is leveling off because of road-access constraints and public acceptance of noise and visual disturbances. In addition, in some cases, larger turbines and taller towers increase the investment cost to an extent that is not balanced by higher capacity and therefore does not reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

The need to ensure that wind power meets network requirements has also resulted in a significant effort to create innovative transmission systems and develop power-control systems. Coupling wind and battery storage can provide efficient solutions to address power network requirements (although wind lags solar when it comes to storage). Advancements in wind resource assessment and forecast are crucial to identify the most suitable locations and develop appropriate solutions to ease integration.

With zero fuel costs, wind energy is a capital-driven industry

As with most other renewables, upfront investments account for the bulk of the full cost of wind power, although operation and maintenance costs are more significant in offshore projects (see figure 5). Operation and maintenance typically account for 20 to 25 percent of the price of electricity. (This can be higher for offshore projects.) Financing costs are therefore fundamental to the economic viability of a wind project.