A 600 to 700 MW natural gas combine cycle 2 on 1 (2 gas turbines and 1 steam turbine) power plant takes 18 months to build and costs about $500,000,000 depending on area. They have to be close to water for cooling, gas supply, and grid hook up. Farther away, the higher the cost. If it runs 24/7 at close to max load. It will pay for it's self in about 4 years. Getting permits is another thing. That may take years.
Wind turbines produce about 3 MW's each on a good day (the new ones, 300ft). Cost about $250,000 each. Takes 30 years to pay for it's self. Plus they have to be built where the wind conditions are just right. Low wind will not produce enough electric. Too high of wind will over-speed the turbines, and kill them. When wind speeds are over around 25 mph. They lock the blades in place so that they don't spin, and turn them to a neutral position. So now it's not producing anything. Most of the wind farms are in the mid-west. I'm waiting to see a tornado wipe a farm out. Then see what the experts say.
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