Life cycle approach carbon footprint efficiency analysis of a wind power plant

This study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of the Geycek Wind Power Plant (WPP) in Türkiye, focusing on its carbon footprint and energy return on investment (EROI). The analysis was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040/44 and ISO 14067 standards. The functional unit was defined as the generation of 1 kWh of electricity, enabling comparability with international studies. The system boundaries included raw material extraction, component manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation and maintenance (O&M), and end-of-life (EoL) processes. Inventory data were obtained from Ecoinvent v3.9.1, GaBi 10.7, JRC (2024), and MIT LCA studies, while characterization factors were derived from IPCC AR5/AR6. The analysis considered multiple impact categories: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), and fossil resource use (FRP). The results showed that the total carbon footprint (TCAF) of the plant ranged between 70,000 and 75,000 tCO₂e, corresponding to an intensity of 6.5–7.0 gCO₂e/kWh. The recalculated EROI was 26.7, consistent with literature values for onshore wind systems, while the buffered EROI was 6.7 when storage and balancing effects were considered. The carbon payback period (CPP) varied significantly with reference electricity systems, from 1.6 months for coal to 3.0 months for the Turkish grid mix, 3.7 months for natural gas, and 4.1 months for a low-carbon grid scenario. These findings demonstrate that wind power, and Geycek WPP in particular, offers substantial climate benefits with rapid carbon payback, aligning closely with Türkiye's 2053 net-zero target, the YEKDEM support mechanism, and the country's broader energy independence strategies.