Viability of Hybrid Wind-Diesel Power Generation in Fossil Fuel Rich Countries: A Case Study of Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman.

摘要

Although Sultanate of Oman is blessed with abundance of crude oil and natural gas reserves, there are remote places (e.g. Masirah Island) where it is costly to transport diesel fuel for electricity power generation. In this study it is proposed to use wind power to augment the existing diesel electric power generators. Detailed wind power resources for the Island is carried out using meteorological wind speed and direction data, in addition to topographical data from satellite maps. The economic analysis show that wind power in hybrid with diesel engines electricity generators can be financially viable in remote locations even in those countries with abundant resources of fossil fuels. Financing the proposed wind farm is discussed briefly. Involving local population in decision making process is the key to any acceptance of local population and success in any economic enterprise. Therefore, the paper discusses how the local population can be encouraged to be involved.