Feasibility and Economic Evaluation of Wind Power Plants: An Analysis of the Role of Incentives in the Electricity Industry (Case Study: Ilam Province)

"This study evaluates the economic feasibility of constructing a wind power plant within the framework of government support policies in Mehran County, Ilam Province. For technical analysis, Vida software was utilized to determine wind speed frequency, select the type of turbine, and calculate the capacity factor. Additionally, data from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) was used for assessing wind energy potential, while the financial evaluation was conducted using Comfar software.
The findings indicate that Mehran County is suitable for the installation of large wind turbines. Based on Vida software outputs, the Vestas V100/1800 Class 3 turbine, with a tower height of 80-100 meters, a blade length of 49 meters, a nominal capacity of 1.8 megawatts, and a capacity factor of 42 percent, is recommended for installation in the region. In the base scenario, with a discount rate of 18 percent, inflation of 20 percent, a tax rate of 25 percent, and a guaranteed electricity price of 5,460 rials per kilowatt-hour, the net present value of the project is approximately -281 billion rials, indicating current economic unfeasibility. However, sensitivity analysis shows that implementing supportive policies—such as reducing the discount rate, annual increases in the guaranteed electricity price in line with inflation, and providing tax exemptions—could render the project’s economic indicators, including net present value and internal rate of return, positive, thus achieving economic viability