A survey on the assessment of wind energy potential in Egypt

Abstract

In this paper, wind data obtained from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority are used to assess monthly and annual wind power and wind energy. The study is based on data from 15 anemometer meteorological stations, distributed all over Egypt and covering a period ranging from 1973 to 1994. For these stations the wind data are summarized. The wind energy potential at the 25 m height was obtained by extrapolation of data at 10 m using a power-law expression. The result presents the mean wind energy density estimates and potential for application in Egypt. The analysis showed that along Red Sea coasts, the annual wind energy flux is found to be high, which indicates that these coastal stations are possible locations for wind energy utilization. On both the Mediterranean coast and in the interior parts of Egypt, some stations are of low available wind energy, while others are found to be rather high. Also, the two Weibull distribution parameters have been estimated from the wind speed data for some meteorological stations and the wind power density is calculated using the values of these parameters.