JEDI: Jobs and Economic Development Impacts Model

The Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) models are user-friendly 

tools that estimate the economic impacts of constructing and operating 

power generation and biofuel plants at the local (usually state) level. First 

developed by NREL’s Wind Powering America program to model wind energy 

jobs and impacts, JEDI has been expanded to biofuels, concentrating solar 

power, coal, and natural gas power plants.

Based on project-specific and default inputs (derived from industry norms), 

JEDI estimates the number of jobs and economic impacts to a local area 

(usually a state) that could reasonably be supported by a power generation 

project. For example, JEDI estimates the number of in-state construction 

jobs from a new wind farm. 

JEDI models are input-output models designed to provide reasonable 

estimates, not exact numbers. JEDI also provides estimates on land lease 

and property tax revenues, when appropriate. Various ownership and 

financing structures can be incorporated by the user as well. JEDI presents 

gross project-specific results. It does not consider potential electricity price 

impact or alternative investment options. Using model defaults, results are 

reported on a statewide scale. However, JEDI can be used on a county, 

regional, or national basis by incorporating additional data (not included in 

the model).

Jobs, earnings, and output are distributed across three categories:

•	 Project Development and Onsite Labor Impacts

•	 Local Revenue,Turbine, andSupply Chain Impacts

•	 InducedImpacts.

Who Uses JEDI?

JEDI models are used by county and state decision-makers, public utility 

commissions, potential project owners, and others interested in the 

economic impacts from new electricity generation projects. 

JEDI’s user-friendly design allows novices to explore the statewide jobs and 

economic impacts from the construction and operation of power plants. 

Advanced users can incorporate specific data to tailor model inputs and 

refine conclusions drawn from model output. 

JEDI model defaults are based on interviews with industry experts and 

project developers. Economic multipliers contained within the model are 

derived from Minnesota IMPLAN Group’s IMPLAN Professional. 

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory

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National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory

Innovation for Our Energy Future

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

NRELisa national laboratoryof the U.S. Department

ofEnergy, OfficeofEnergyEfficiencyand RenewableEnergy,

operatedbythe AllianceforSustainableEnergy,LLC.

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Wind Farm — Project Data Summary based on model default values

Project Location COLORADO

Year of Construction 2009

TotalProject Size - Nameplate Capacity (MW) 100

Number of Projects (included in total) 1

Turbine Size (KW) 1500

Number of Turbines 67

InstalledProject Cost ($/KW) $2,043

Annual Direct O&M Cost ($/KW) $20.00

Money Value (Dollar Year) 2008

InstalledProject Cost $204,315,234

Local Spending $36,581,782

Total Annual Operational Expenses $33,598,101

Direct Operatingand Maintenance Costs $2,000,000

Local Spending $697,527

Other Annual Costs $31,598,101

Local Spending $869,090

 Debt and Equity Payments $0

 Property Taxes $567,590

 Land Lease $301,500

Local Economic Impacts — Summary Results

During construction period Jobs Earnings*

(in millions)

Output**

(in millions)

Project Development and Onsite Labor Impacts 67 $4.24 $4.91

Construction andInterconnection Labor 60 $3.78

Construction RelatedServices 7 $0.45

Turbine andSupply Chain Impacts 306 $11.99 $41.47

Induced Impacts 122 $4.30 $14.63

 Total Impacts 495 $20.52 $61.02

During operating years (annual)

Onsite Labor Impacts 6 $0.41 $0.41

Local Revenue andSupply Chain Impacts 8 $0.31 $1.68

Induced Impacts 7 $0.23 $0.79

 Total Impacts 21 $0.95 $2.89

 * Earnings include wages and salaries for each category

** Output refers to alldollars flowinginto the local economy from project-relatedactivity

Researchedby Stephen Hendrickson

Sample JEDI Output

Totals (construction + 20 years)

 Total ecomomic benet: $136 million

 New local jobs during construction: 495

 New local long-term jobs: 21

Construction Phase: 

• 122 new jobs

• $14.6 million to 

 local economies

Operational Phase:

• 7 new jobs

• $790,000/year to 

 local economies

Construction Phase = 1-2 years

Operational Phase = 20+ years

Induced Impacts

Construction Phase: 

• 306 new jobs

• $41.5 million to 

 local economies

Operational Phase:

• 8 new jobs

• $1.7 million/year to 

 local economies

Local Revenue, 

Turbine, & Supply 

Chain Impacts

Landowner Revenue:

• $301,500 per year

Local Property Taxes:

• $567,590 per year

Construction Phase: 

• 67 new jobs

• $4.91 million to local economies

Operational Phase:

• 6 new jobs

• $410,000/year to local 

 economies

Project Development 

& Onsite Labor Impacts

Wind Energy’s Economic “Ripple Effect”

JEDI Model VersionW1.09.03e

The JEDI model provides output in table form 

(left). Presenting results visually provides a more 

intuitive way of understanding the distribution 

of jobs and economic impacts (see above ripple 

chart).

Find More Information 

Download JEDI at www.nrel.gov/analysis/jedi/

Submitquestions to JEDIsupport@nrel.gov 

www.windpoweringamerica.gov

Samples of jobs in each

JEDI category

Project 

Development & 

Onsite Labor 

Impacts

Truck drivers, crane operators, earth 

moving, cement pouring, 

construction, management, and 

support

Local Revenue, 

Turbine, & Supply 

Chain Impacts

Blade and tower manufacturing, 

steel mill jobs, parts, services, 

equipment manufacturing and 

sales, financing, banking, and 

accounting

Induced Impacts Local area goods and services due 

to increased revenue from the first 

two categories. Examples include 

restaurants, grocery stores, retail, 

child care, public transit, and 

medical services