Prospects of Wind Farm Development in Algeria

Abstract

This study utilized wind speed data over a period of almost 10 years between 1977 and 1988 from three stations, namely Adrar, Timimoun and Tindouf in order to assess the energy output for a 30 MW installed capacity wind farm at each site in Algeria, in terms of gross energy, renewable energy delivered, specific yield and wind farm capacity factor. The energy output analysis is done using three WECSs of rated capacity 600, 1000 and 2000 kW. The RETScreen model is used to perform the economical feasibility study of the wind farms at these locations. The study concludes that the wind farm consisting of 30 wind turbines of 1 MW rated power each is more feasible for all sites than using other WECSs. Finally wind park development at Adrar will avoid 45111 tons of greenhouse gases each year and about 1127775 of tons of GHG over the life time of the wind power plant. Similarly, at Timimoun and Tindouf a total of 900925 and 639475tons of GHG could be avoided from entering into the local atmosphere of these stations.