In Iran, there are more than 15,000 MW of wind power potential, but only about 90 MW have been installed since 2009. Because fuel costs are the main part of fuel-consumed power generation costs and fossil resource costs are highly subsidized in Iran, renewable energies such as wind power have yet to be fully developed. This analysis sets out to evaluate the total generating costs of wind power and conventional power plants in Iran. A levelized cost approach was conducted that included investment costs, O&M costs, fuel costs and external costs of emissions for each type of technology. Comparison of cost assessments of power generation show that by taking into account global fuel prices and incorporating air pollutant externalities, wind power can be as competitive as conventional power plants. This paper suggests that a subsidies targeting law would significantly affect the development of the Iranian wind power industry in the future. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.