EXPLORING WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL IN KPK-PAKISTAN BY USING MULTI CRITERIA APPROACH

Abstract

Renewable energy resources have great potential to give solution to the long-lasting energy deficiency problems being faced by Pakistan. The aim of this study was to utilize 22 years (1983-2005) satellite based data sets of Wind Speed (m/s) at 10m and 50m, 100m, 150m, 300m altitudes, Surface Temperature (0C) and Surface Atmospheric Pressure (kpa) for six districts of KPK (Chitral, Peshawar, Dir, DIK, Buner and Mansehra) respectively. At 10 m altitude, annual wind speed analysis showed similar pattern among all the districts, each with two maximum peaks one in April and the other between October and November. Multi-criteria Approach involved, creating suitable criteria for selected variables then classification (based on each variable magnitude), score were then assigned to each class. Based on methodology (MCA) applied in this research, Chitral district appeared as the best location for exploiting in terms of wind power.