Wind Energy Assessment in Africa; A GIS-based approach

Abstract: This study analyses the potential of onshore wind power on the African continent. Appropriate socio-economic and geographical constraints as well as current technology’s efficiencies are applied in order to reach the desired result. The current energy access in Africa is described to illustrate the need of promoting the wind power penetration on the continent. The existing as well as the under construction wind farms are mapped. Thereafter, the methodology of approaching the resource assessment is analyzed. For the energy generation assessment, not only wind speed strength but also its probability of occurrence over a certain period of time is important and thus considered in this study. High resolution wind speed data from Vortex and lower resolution daily wind speed data are combined and processed in order to obtain a fine wind speed distribution and thus wind energy production generated by selected wind turbine models. The different categories of wind power potential are defined and evaluated. Additionally, screening criteria regarding the localization of wind farms are outlined and implemented through GIS analysis. Subsequently interactive maps are prepared. ArcGIS software is used in order to capture, store and manipulate the required data and to obtain a holistic view of the study. The study is conducted at a continental level using a 1km×1km (longitude, latitude) land-use grid as the finest resolution. Ultimately the results of this work are presented and compared with similar approaches and significant conclusions are drawn. Based on the analysis there are some countries that signify high yearly wind energy yield, such as South Africa, Sudan, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Mauritania, Tunisia and Morocco, whilst Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Central African Republic, Burundi, Liberia, Benin and Togo indicate the least wind power potential. Also important future work is suggested.