A Study of Estimation of Wind Potential and Prediction of Grid-Connected Wind Power Development in Vietnam

The construction of grid-connected wind power plants has increased sharply in Vietnam due to the rapid rise of energy demands. Previous studies of wind energy have shown that the wind potential of Vietnam compared to other countries of Southeast Asia and examined wind speed levels of each region of Vietnam. In this study, the annual electricity production (AEP), which is an important factor of project's cost and benefit calculation, was calculated for 13 study areas. A correlation equation between AEP and the average wind speed at 60m above ground level was also developed to estimate AEP where there exists only data of the annual average wind speed. Moreover, other resources of the development of grid-connected wind power were discussed in this research such as the Vietnamese supporting mechanism, international co-operation, turbine technology development, etc. The article then predicts the trend, and proposes some recommendations of developing grid-connected wind farms in Vietnam.