Harnessing Wind Energy in Jalingo for Power Generation

This paper presents an examination of data on wind speed measured at 10 metres altitude by cup anemometer to assess the wind energy potential in Jalingo, located in North-eastern Nigeria. Data for the years 2013 - 2023 was obtained from the Abuja-based Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The analysis was conducted using Weibull distribution function, a statistical method commonly applied to evaluate wind energy potential. The findings indicate the average yearly wind speed for Jalingo is within 4.33 – 4.80 m/s which put the station in class 2 (i.e., v: 4.4 – 5.1 m/s; P_d:  100 – 150 Wm²) – Marginal potential, based on Pacific National Laboratory (PNL) classification. Computed mean wind energy in the station is in the range 2.50 – 3.66 MWh/month, and 29.37 – 44.47 MWh/year. This is considered quite low compared to good sites (> 1000 MWh/year per turbine). It reflects Jalingo’s relatively weak average wind speeds – A wind turbine of medium size 10 – 25 m with rating of 10 -150 kW is recommended for economic reasons.