PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY OF WIND POWER AND SITE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS IN DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Recently, the demand for energy production has been tremendously increasing in Ethiopia due to the escalating population and industrialization. As a short-run solution to cover the increasing and suppressed demand, a fast-track execution capacity increase is compulsory. Harnessing wind energy is a promising solution for improving the lives of those who are unlikely to have access to electricity supply in the foreseeable future in Ethiopia. In the country, wind energy potential is reasonably good, but the level of investigation and exploitation is below the desired level. In this research work, a detailed pre-feasibility study has been conducted on wind farm plantations to assess wind power potential and analyze site suitability in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. A suitable site was selected, wind power potential was assessed and financial viability was checked based on Qgis, 3D animated wind turbine and RET screen expert in a specific province, Dire Dawa. The result has been validated by comparing the national meteorological agency of Ethiopia data with NASA’s MERRA reanalysis data. Based on the result, input model parameters, wind speed variability, and area wind speed were discussed. From the results, the wind energy potential of one of the sites, K'ench'era (site 1), noted at 6.4 m/sec mean wind speed with a mean wind power density of 682 w/m2 at 100 m and 11.16 km away from the main access road, is considerably lower than the other two locations. Besides, Jelo (Site 2) distinguished a 7.0 m/sec mean wind speed with a mean wind power density of 780 w/m2 at 100 m and 11.36 km away from the main access road, which is markedly higher than the k'ench'era (site 1). Afretu (site 3) verified a 7.4 m/sec mean wind speed, a mean wind power density of 804 w/m2 at 100 m, and a distance of 28.83 km away from the main access road, which is noticeably higher than the two locations that could be outstanding according to the national renewable energy laboratory. The results show that Jelo (Site 2) and Afretu (Site 3) are better candidates as compared with K'ench.era (Site 1). Finally, possible direction for urban and energy planners as support in selecting the finest wind energy promises based on site characteristics and restrictions