Table 3: Inter-fuel/technology lifetime levelised kWh cost comparisons

* From IEA World Energy Outlook 2000, that uses a flat 7.0 discount rate for all technologies.
** Computed by Awerbuch using variable, theoretically defensible discount rates for each technology according to the ideal and empirical cases.
*** From conventional in the first column.
Source: Shimon Awerbuch, Tyndall Centre, Sussex University

Technology Conventional DCF* (US c/kWh) Ideal risk-adjusted DCF** (US c/kWh) % change*** Empirical risk-adjusted DCF** (US c/kWh) % change***
Geothermal 3.3 3.1 -6 3.1 -6
Biomass 2.8 3.2 +14 3.2 +14
Wind 4.0 3.6 -10 3.6 -10
Large hydro 5.0 4.7 -6 4.7 -6
Nuclear 4.0 5.5 +38 5.5 +38
Coal IGCC 3.2 4.2 +31 6.0 +87
Pulverised coal 3.2 4.5 +41 6.7 +109
GTCC 3.0 5.0 +72 7.2 +140
GT single cycle 3.4 6.0 +86 9.4 +176
Solar thermal 11.9 11.1 -6 11.1 -6