Economics Aspects and Social Impact of Wind Energy: Determining the Cost of Wind Electricity and the Relative Share of Wind Energy Consumption

This chapter presents some indicators that can be used to evaluate the feasibility of investments in wind energy projects from different perspectives, such as economic aspects and the social impact. Some economic evaluation indicators of wind power projects are discussed. It is shown how the jobs created and the quality of working conditions as a result of the implementation of wind energy projects can be evaluated. The major groups of risks associated with wind energy are discussed. Finally, the two types of indexes concerning the balance of energy consumption formed by different combinations of conventional and renewable sources and the index for the relative share of wind energy consumption among other renewable sources are proposed.