Wind power characteristics on the North West coast of Saudi Arabia

Measured values of wind speed at 20, 30 and 40 meters above ground level along with other meteorological parameters were used to study the wind characteristics and wind energy yield. The measured data covered a period of almost 36 months between September 17, 1996 and October 21, 1999. Almost identical annual mean wind speeds were found at different heights with a very small value of wind shear exponent of 0.062. Weibull parameters were found to be real representatives of the actual wind frequency distribution. The selected wind turbine of 2.75 MW rated capacity could produce annually 6,681; 6,875 and 7,049 MWh of electricity with an average plant capacity factor (PCF) of 27.7, 28.5 and 29.3% corresponding to hub heights of 60, 80 and 100 m, respectively.