The Madaras Rotor Power Plant concept has been analysed and updated to determine its capability to compete technically and economically with conventional horizontal axis wind-turbine generators. This concept, developed in the 1930s utilises rotating cylinders, vertically mounted on flat cars, to react with the wind (Magnus effect) and propel an endless train of cars around a closed track at constant speed. Alternators geared to the wheels of each car generate electrical power, which is transmitted to a power station by a trolley system. The analysis consisted of a wind-tunnel test series, an electromechanical design, a performance analysis, and a cost analysis. Results indicate that the most efficient Madaras plants should have race-track planforms and that utility-sized plants can be constructed (>228 MW and >975 × 106 kWh/year). Further, Madaras plants appear to be less land-intensive than horizontal axis wind-turbine generator plants, and energy costs of Madaras plants varied from 12% higher to 22% lower relative to horizontal axis plants of a comparable size.