Analysis of Wind Power Potential Characteristics and Feasibility in Kuwait for Possible Electricity Production

This technical paper presents an assessment of wind energy potential for six locations in Kuwait using measured meteorological data. These locations are; Abdaly, Mitribah, Jal Aliyah, Abraque Al-Habari, Kuwait international airport (KIA) and Julaia port. the results show that at 10 m height, Jal Aliyah has the maximum average wind speed of 3.96 m/s. In addition to that, to evaluate the performance of wind power systems in these sites, analysis of electricity production of large scale wind turbines (1 MW and above) is conducted. It is found that the energy generation of the proposed power systems varies from 1092 to 3580 MWh per life time, In the meanwhile, the availability factor is in the range of 47%-89%. In the meanwhile the capacity factor is in the range of (11%-20%). Based on that the cost of energy generated by these systems is found to be in the range of (0.21-0.67) USD/kWh.