Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential for Power Generation in some Coastal Cities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The wind potential of three coastal sites, Ibeno (Latitude 4° 33' 54.2"N & Longitude 8° 4' 21.3"E), Oron (Latitude 4°48'26.53"N & Longitude 8°14'15.74"E) and Okobo (Latitude 4°41'48.48"N & Longitude 8°15'23.23"E) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was investigated. Using data obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron for Ibeno, Okobo and Oron respectively for a period of five years (2012-2016), a statistical analysis was performed. Using empirical method, the overall average Weibull distribution parameters in terms of k and c, mean power density and mean wind speed were determined for the three locations to be 3.29, 4.74 & 4.11, 7.72, 6.54 & 6.40 m/s, 344.68, 236.10 & 185.18 w/m2 and 8.24, 7.26 & 6.70 m/s respectively for Ibeno, Oron and Okobo. The results indicate that all the locations had a wind speed range higher than the 5-6 m/s recommended for electricity generation and a wind density value greater than 100 W/m2. Resulting from the analysis, the overall annual energy production was projected to be 15.23, 10.45 & 8.19 GW for Ibeno, Oron and Okobo respectively, leading to the conclusion that the three cities located along the coastal lines of Akwa Ibom, would be viable for commercial wind power production.