Assessment of Wind Speed Characteristics and Available Wind Power Potential for Electricity Generation in Tanzania

Abstract

The energy demand and its associated crises are attracting significant attention due to population increase and economic growth especially in developing countries. Fossil fuel-based energy source stand as a prominent anthropogenic resource but they are accompanied with increased carbon emissions and heightened environmental concerns. Renewable energy sources such as wind energy can offers a lot of potential for sustainable growth in the energy sector of developing nations like Tanzania. Thus, this work investigated wind speed characteristics and available wind power potential in six selected regions in Tanzania with different topographical features for future electricity generation. The data of the wind speed of ten years available at a height of 10 m above ground level have been used to analyse monthly and annual variations of wind speed. Minimum and maximum average values of recorded wind speeds are presented in this paper. The Weibull shape k and scale c parameters have been estimated using the Weibull distribution function. Results indicate that the respective maximum average annual values of the shape and scale parameters for all sites are 2.54 and 8.21 m/s, which indicate that the wind speed is steady. The results show further that the Singida region has a maximum average annual wind speed of 7.29 m/s and a corresponding annual average wind power density of 237.30 W/m2 . In conclusion, the results suggest that the Singida region can be considered a suitable site for wind energy generation on a large scale.