Evaluation of Power Density and Energy Output of Wind Resources in the North-West Geographical Zone of Nigeria

The wind energy potential of some locations in the North-West Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria was assessed in this study. Data used for this study were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), it included the monthly wind speed data for ten consecutive years (2016–2025). The data were processed using appropriate statistical and mathematical tools to determine the mean wind speed, wind power density, wind energy output, wind speed variation with height, and Weibull analysis. The results showed significant spatial variations in the wind characteristics and distributions across the areas studied. Katsina had the highest mean wind speed of 3.53m/s, while Zamfara and Sokoto were second and third with mean wind speeds of 3.43 m/s and 3.40 m/s, respectively. Jigawa recorded the minimum mean wind speed of 2.91 m/s. Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto also recorded the maximum average power density of 26.49 W/m², 23.44 W/m², and 23.23 W/m², respectively, as well as the maximum mean estimated wind energy output of 276.48kWh/m², 245.58kWh/m², and 239.04kWh/m² in the same order. Also, it was observed that for all the locations in the study area, the higher the height, the higher the wind speed. Kastina had the highest estimated wind speed of 5.03m/s at 120 m height above ground level, while Jigawa had the lowest at 4.15 m/s. Field measurements and economic and technical analysis are recommended before any exploitation and utilisation of the wind energy resource in these areas.