Assessment of wind energy potential in Zambia

Abstract

An assessment of potential for wind energy in Zambia was carried out to help address the shortage of energy due to increasing energy needs arising from energy requirements for newly opened mining industries and unreliable hydropower generation due to climate change. The assessment was carried out by collecting wind speed data of 25 sites owned by Zambia Meteorological Department. The objective of the study was to analyse wind patterns and determine areas in Zambia where production of electricity from wind can be invested. The analysis was based on the use of Weibull shape factor and yielded 3.32 m/s wind speed and 13.2 shape factor from a site with the most suitable wind speeds (Kasama Meteorological Station). A correlation study was carried out using these results and Goldwin 1.5 MW wind turbine of model GW82/1500. The study results showed that 44.46 kW power output could be obtained at 3.83 m/s wind speed by a correlation equation of this turbine power output with wind speeds. A series of similar power output results were obtained for wind speeds recorded in the years from 2013 to 2021 and compared with those obtained in the same period by using model equation due to Al Buhariri, and found that the power outputs compared very closely at low wind speeds ranging 3 to 3.2 m/s but rather widely at higher wind speeds.This study is significant in that it provides information on decision making and helps determine policy direction for wind utilization in Zambia and it can also help influence investment decision by Zambian mining companies who have financial ability to undertake large scale investments.