Abstract:
In the present study, the wind energy potential for Garissa (0o28’S, 39o38’E) and
Marsabit (2o 19’N, 37o 58’E), both rural towns in north-eastern Kenya have been
statistically analyzed on a 6-year measured hourly time series wind speed data.
The probability distribution parameters are derived the time series data and the
distributional parameters are identified and fitted annually on the basis of Weibull
model. Garissa’s average wind speeds were found to range between 2.5 and 3.5
m/s giving power densities of between 74 and 190 W/m2 at a height of 50 m. The
yearly value of Weibull’s shape parameter k ranged from 1.26 to 1.38, whilst the
values of the scale parameter c ranged between 2.92 and 3.90 m/s. In the case of
Marsabit average wind speeds greater than 11 m/s are prevalent. The available
power density at a height of 50 m is between 1776 and 2202 W/m2 which is in the
wind class range of 7 and 8. Values of Weibull parameters k and c ranged between
2.5-3.05 and 11.86-12.97 m/s, respectively. From the analysis, the Marsabit site
was found suitable for grid connected power generation while the Garissa site was
found suitable for non-grid uses such as water pumping and battery charging.
