Global LCOE projection by key country 2015-2020

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) varies around the world and was about 23 U.S. cents in 2015 in the United Kingdom, compared to 10 cents in India. The LCOE is calculated by using the average cost to build and operate a power plant divided by its total power output over its lifetime. It is a measure of comparison between different electricity generation methods that have varying life spans, sizes, costs, and capacities. LCOEs are used to make an informed decision on the economic feasibility of energy projects in comparison to utility rates. For example, most renewable energy projects have no fuel costs (with the exception of biomass). Cost of renewables The falling cost of renewables has prompted a global shift towards using renewable sources for energy generation. Most notably, the average cost of solar and wind power technologies is expected to continue to decrease. The costs of installing offshore wind are also encouraging countries with the resource potential to put more into the market. Other less mainstream energy sources, like geothermal energy have experienced more of a fluctuation in costs as development spending varies.

电力平准化成本（LCOE）在全球范围内存在差异，以2015年为例，英国约为每千瓦时23美分，而印度则为10美分。电力平准化成本通过计算电力厂建设和运营的平均成本，除以其在整个生命周期内的总发电量得出。它是比较不同寿命、规模、成本和发电能力的电力生产方法之间的一个对比指标。LCOEs被用于在与其他公用事业费率进行比较时，对能源项目的经济可行性做出明智的决策。例如，大多数可再生能源项目没有燃料成本（生物质能除外）。可再生能源成本随着可再生能源成本的降低，全球能源生产正逐步转向使用可再生能源。特别是，太阳能和风能技术的平均成本预计将继续下降。海上风力发电的安装成本也对具有资源潜力的国家增加了市场投入的动力。其他不太主流的能源，如地热能，由于开发支出波动较大，其成本也经历了更多的波动。