Power plant construction costs fall, index shows

摘要

The latest IHS CERA Power Capital Cost Index shows the cost of constructing new power plants fell an additional 3% between January and June, signaling a broader downward trend that has now spread beyond nuclear to all classes of power plants. The decline over six months was driven primarily by a decrease in cost of construction steel, wire, cables, rebar and asphalt stemming from sharply lower prices for steel, copper and petroleum. Wind power has shown the sharpest decrease at 11% due to a combined drop in wind turbine and tower cost and a short term slowdown in orders. Coal power plant cost fell 6% due to declines in both labor and ancillary equipment cost.