Analysis of the electricity generation cost per unit from wind resources in Burundi

Burundi’s electricity sector remains highly dependent on hydropower, making it vulnerable to climate variability and highlighting the need for diversified renewable energy sources. This study presents a techno-economic assessment of wind power potential at four wind-prone locations in Burundi using three Enercon wind turbines: E-40/5.4 (500 kW), E-58/10.58 (1 MW), and E-70 E4 (2 MW). Wind speeds were obtained from Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations and extrapolated to hub height using the power-law model. Annual Energy Production (AEP) was estimated from turbine power curves and capacity factors derived from wind-speed distributions. The Present Value of Cost (PVC) method was applied to estimate the unit cost of electricity by considering capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, discount rate, inflation, project lifetime, and salvage value. Results show that Site S1 exhibits the highest wind potential, with the 2 MW turbine producing approximately 29.5 GWh/year. The estimated unit cost of wind-generated electricity ranges from US$0.025 to US$0.22/kWh depending on site characteristics and turbine size. Among the evaluated turbines, the 500 kW E-40/5.4 consistently provides the lowest electricity cost due to its lower capital investment and favorable performance under local wind conditions. At the most favorable sites, wind electricity costs are comparable to or lower than current national electricity tariffs in Burundi. The findings indicate that appropriately sized small- and medium-scale wind turbines could provide a cost-competitive complementary energy source, improve electricity access in underserved areas, and enhance long-term energy security and climate resilience.