The Potential for Wind Energy in Nigeria

This paper discusses some of the issues of wind energy development and utilization in Nigeria. It surveys the various initiatives of governments and researchers at assessing the prospects and availability of wind energy for electricity production and identifies indices suggesting wind availability. Inland, the wind is strongest in hilly regions of the North, while mountainous terrains of the middle belt and northern fringes have high potential for great wind energy harvest. However, due to varying topography and roughness of the country, large differences may exist within the same locality. Mean wind regimes in the north and south were also found to lie between 4.0-7.5 m/s and 3.0-3.5 m/s respectively at 10 m above the ground. It is suggested that Nigeria can adequately utilize wind for power generation over much of the country, if the identified challenges are overcome and the suggested strategies are implemented.