Assessment of wind energy potential and the economics of wind power generation in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

This paper statistically examines wind energy potential in Jos, Nigeria using 37-year (1971–2007) wind speed data measured at 10m height subjected to 2-parameter Weibull analysis. The results showed that Jos falls under Class 7 of the International system of wind classification by recording annual values of mean wind speed, average power density and energy of 8.6m/s, 458W/m2 and 4013kWh/m2/year respectively, making the site very suitable for wind turbine applications. A technical assessment was also made of electricity generation using two commercial wind turbines, AN Bonus 300kW/33 and AN Bonus 1MW/54 through the computation of their respective capacity factors, annual power and energy outputs. Furthermore, the economic feasibility of using the two wind energy conversion systems for electric power generation gave estimated costs of € 0.025, € 0.026and € 0.015, € 0.016per kWh of energy produced under two different values of annual operation and maintenance costs of 15 and 25% total initial cost respectively. ► Wind speed and wind energy potential in Jos, Nigeria is estimated in this study. ► The average wind power densities of Jos is suitable for wind turbine applications. ► Economic evaluation of two commercial wind turbines was done using PVC method.