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Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Wind Characteristics and Wind Energy Potential Assessment in Uyo, Nigeria
Olayinka S. Ohunakin

Abstract: This study examines the wind power potential of Uyo, a capital city in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A 21 years data obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological agency (NIMET) were statistically analyzed using the Weibull and Rayleigh distribution functions. The result of the study showed that Uyo has a mean wind speed of 3.17 m sec-1 with a maximum value of 3.67 m sec-1 in April while the corresponding mean wind power density is approximately 19.91 W m-2 for the whole year, thereby making the selected site to fall under class 1 of the international system of wind classification. Further investigations, revealed a higher wind speed in the afternoon than morning period and the South-Westerly (SW) and Westerly (W) to be responsible for the high wind values recorded in the area. The Weibull model was also proved to represent the actual data better than Rayleigh.

How to cite this article
Olayinka S. Ohunakin , 2011. Wind Characteristics and Wind Energy Potential Assessment in Uyo, Nigeria. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 6: 141-146.

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