Statistical Assessment of Potential Wind Energy Sites in Coastal and Southern Part of Namibia

This paper presents an outlined detail on wind resource assessment for the potential of onshore wind energy in Namibia. Wind speed data collected from Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) measured from five masts located in the coastal and southern areas of the country were analyzed using statistical methods incorporated in MATLAB and Microsoft Excel. The statistical data analysis involved carrying out wind energy and power estimation, performing wind speed interpolation (60m-200m) and plot wind speed on an annual, monthly and seasonal basis. The analysis also involved performing statistical data fitting by Weibull distribution using various Weibull methods, plotting of wind rose diagrams and finally, carrying out capacity factor calculations. Comparison of all sites under study were done based on the analysis and the suitable location with good energy yield was recommended. Wind turbine generator power curve of enough capacity was used to assess the predicted operation under the wind climatic condition determined from data analysis for all studied sites.

I. Introduction

Wind energy is clean, environmentally friendly and the most cost-effective form of renewable energy. It is one of the fastest-growing forms of renewable energy worldwide. According to the reports released by the Global Energy Wind Council [1], it is estimated that Africa's installed wind power capacity is expected to rise to 86 GW by 2030. In Namibia, 66% of the population have no access to electricity which offers good opportunity to explore renewable energy in the country [2]. Namibia has one of the longest coastline spanning around 1572km in length according to [3] which offers good opportunity to explore wind project near the coastlines.