Investment Costs for Wind Turbines
A modern 6 MW onshore turbine costs approximately 1,200–1,700 €/kW turnkey — i.e. 7.2–10.2 million EUR per turbine. Below is the full cost breakdown plus the levers available to optimise CAPEX.
CAPEX Breakdown (Onshore 2026)
| Item | Share of CAPEX | Range €/kW |
|---|---|---|
| Turbine incl. delivery & erection | 55–65% | 700–950 €/kW |
| Foundation + structural engineering | 5–8% | 80–130 €/kW |
| Internal grid connection (transformer, cables) | 5–8% | 70–130 €/kW |
| External grid connection (to grid operator) | 3–8% | 40–130 €/kW |
| Access roads + crane pad | 2–5% | 30–80 €/kW |
| Initial lease payment + rights of way | 1–3% | 15–50 €/kW |
| Expert reports + permitting (BImSchG) | 2–4% | 30–70 €/kW |
| Construction-phase insurance | 0.5–1.5% | 10–25 €/kW |
| Financing ancillary costs | 1–2% | 15–35 €/kW |
| Decommissioning bond | 1–2% | 15–35 €/kW |
| BNK (demand-driven aviation lighting) | 2–4% | 25–70 €/kW |
| Miscellaneous (project management, risk buffer) | 3–7% | 40–120 €/kW |
| Total | 100% | 1,200–1,700 €/kW |
Cost Range — What Drives the Difference?
- Turbine type: low-wind turbines with large rotors cost more per kW than high-wind models
- Site difficulty: forest, slope, peatland add +5–15% compared to flat terrain
- Grid connection distance: 5 km of new cable route costs 200,000–400,000 €
- Lease structures: multiple landowners = higher initial fees
- Economies of scale: from 5+ turbines per wind farm −5 to −10%
- Turbine delivery schedule: 2026 market is tight, prices at the upper end of the spectrum
Repowering Cost Savings
When repowering, parts of the CAPEX are reduced because infrastructure already exists:
| Item | Greenfield | Repowering |
|---|---|---|
| Access roads | 30–80 €/kW | 5–25 €/kW (adaptation) |
| External grid connection | 40–130 €/kW | 10–60 €/kW (reinforcement) |
| Initial lease | 15–50 €/kW | 5–20 €/kW (extension) |
| Permitting (BImSchG) | 30–70 €/kW | 20–60 €/kW (partially reusable) |
| Total savings | — | 50–140 €/kW |
Plus: decommissioning costs for the old turbines (50,000–200,000 € per turbine) must be factored in depending on the accounting approach — see Decommissioning (DE).
Financing Structure
- Equity 20–30%: from sponsor, investor, or community wind participation
- Debt 70–80%: banks (NORD/LB, KfW IPEX, Triodos, regional savings banks, international energy lenders)
- Debt interest rate: approximately 4–5% p.a. in 2026, depending on creditworthiness + collateral
- Debt tenor: 15 years standard, some up to 18 years
Onshore wind CAPEX (2026) — cost breakdown, cost drivers and repowering savings
Detailed CAPEX Calculation for Your Project?
We connect you with an energy finance consultant — full CAPEX model including manufacturer bid comparison and financing concept.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Why such a wide range of 1,200–1,700 €/kW?
Site difficulty + turbine size + economies of scale. A single 6 MW turbine on a forest site can cost 1,700 €/kW, while five turbines on flat terrain may come in at 1,300 €/kW.
When should turbines be ordered?
In 2026, allow 12–18 months lead time. Some projects place orders before BImSchG (Federal Immission Control Act) permit approval using an option contract — this protects against delays in commissioning.
Are maintenance contracts included in CAPEX?
No — maintenance is OPEX, not CAPEX. A full-service contract with the manufacturer typically runs 10–15 years at 8–12 €/MWh — see OPEX.