For example, a typical 1,000-megawatt (MW) coal plant would require approximately 300 3-MW wind turbines to generate the same amount of power. However, if the wind resource at the site is poor, more turbines would be needed. Conversely, if the wind resource is excellent, fewer turbines would be needed.
It is also important to consider the capacity factor of the wind turbines, which is the ratio of the actual energy produced by the turbines to the potential energy available. The capacity factor of wind turbines can vary significantly depending on the site, with good sites having a capacity factor of 30% or more, and poor sites having a capacity factor of 10% or less.
Overall, the number of wind turbines needed to generate the same amount of power as a coal plant can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the site. However, as wind turbine technology continues to improve and the cost of wind energy declines, wind power is becoming increasingly competitive with coal power.
