3.4.4.1.2 Primary Data Sources
Power sector data components are organized into two primary methodological approaches:
- Derived Data: Components directly extracted, or derived, from energy consumption capacity datasets. These provide empirical foundations based on operational data.
- Study-Based Data: Components sourced from studies, research publications, and institutional assessments.
CPAT power models draw from the following key data sources (summarized in Table 2):
- Main Technoeconomic Characteristics: Global data is derived from the CCDR EEX Methodology Note – Energy Transition Analysis FY24 (CCDR-EEX) , as well as Way et al., (2022) and the Global and National Energy Systems Techno-Economic (GNESTE) database . National data is derived from IRENASTAT (IRENA) , GNESTE and BloombergNEF (BNEF).
- Time Evolution of CapEx: Data is derived from the CCDR-EEX (using IEA scenarios).
- Decommissioning and Transmission Costs: Decommissioning data is derived from three studies: Raimi (2017) , the World Nuclear Association (2023) , and the Water Power & Dam (2009) . Transmission data us derived from Andrade and Baldick (2017) .
- Storage: Data derived from Bogdanov et al. (2019) is used.
- Installed Capacity: Current and forecast data are derived from IRENA .
- Planned Retirement of Power Plants: Data from the Global Coal Plant Tracker is used.
- Maximum RE Scale-Up Rate: Assumptions are used. We hope to revise these as part of the review of the investment equation.
- WACC: A mixed approach is used, deriving data from Damodaran (2025) and Steffen (2020) .
Data Section | Methodology | Unit | Data Level | Data Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Main Technoeconomic Characteristics | The CCDR-EEX assumptions “National Policies in APS World” are used. | CapEx, variable and fixed OpEx in USD/kW; Capacity Factor, WACC and efficiency in %; Total lifetime in years | Global | CCDR-EEX (WBG), Way et al., 2022, GNESTE |
Simple averages of multiple sources are used; indexation to the CPAT year is performed when no more recent data is available. A script is available to update data at the country-level. | Country | IRENA (Red), GNESTE (Purple), BNEF (Green) | ||
Time Evolution of CapEx | For solar and wind, the decline in CapEx over time is included. There are two scenarios: (1) Medium = uses CCDR-EEX Assumptions “National Policies in APS World”; (2) High = uses National PD2050 in NZE World scenario | Index (base year: 2021) | Global | CCDR-EEX (WBG) |
Decommissioning & Transmission costs | Decommissioning and transmission costs are based on estimates provided by several data sources. The average is computed and then transformed to be expressed as percentage of CapEx. NB: Transmission costs are not currently used in CPAT. | Percentage of CapEx | Global | Decommissioning costs (Raimi, 2017; WNA, 2023; Water Power & Dam, 2009) & Transmission costs (Andrade & Baldick, 2017) |
Storage | Data are directly retrieved from the LUT model and interpolated when missing. | CapEx, fixed and variable OpEx in USD/kWh, lifetime in years | Global | LUT model (Bogdanov et al., 2019) |
Installed capacity | Data prior to 2019 is from the EIA, data after 2019 is from IRENA. A script is available to update data at the national level. | Installed capacity in MW | Country | EIA, IRENA |
Planned retirement | Based on power plant data, the retirement year of each power plant is determined and the capacity associated is determined from 2000 to 2050. | MW per year | Country | Coal Power Plant tracker |
Maximum Scale Up Rate | Constraint on renewable scale up rate. Based on assumptions. | % | Country | Assumption |
WACC | Using a combination of LIBOR, a country factor (risk premium) taken from the literature, a policy factor (accounting for PPAs) and a technology factor, a WACC is estimated | % | Country | Damodaran, 2023; Steffen, 2020 |