Copper in wind power plants

Topline messages:

• Onshore wind power: on average more than 3 ton/MW
• Offshore wind power: variable depending on the distance to the shore, typical range 4.3 to 5.6 ton/MW

The copper intensity of use (tCu/MW) in wind power systems depends on several factors. Copper use can vary from around 2.5 tCu/MW to more than 8 tCu/MWp. Some of the major factors determining this use are:

• The size of a plant - as with most energy systems, smaller plants have to a higher copper intensity of use. 
• The wind generator technology used.
• The connection to the electricity grid.
• The choice of the conductor material, particularly for the cabling and transformers.

Copper can be used in the following components of a wind power system:

1. Generator
2. Turbine power converter
3. LV cable
4. Turbine transformer
5. Turbine switchgear and busbar
6. Turbine earthing
7. Substation transformer
8. Substation switchgear and busbar
9. Substation earthing
10. Lightning protection
11. MV array cable (offshore only)
12. Export cable (offshore only)

-----

Last update: April 6, 2022