This paper presents a statistical analysis of wind characteristics of five locations covering the North-udCentral (NC) geo-political zone, Nigeria, namely Bida, Minna, Makurdi, Ilorin and Lokoja using Weibulluddistribution functions on a 36-year (1971–2007) wind speed data at 10m height collected by the meteorologicaludstations of NIMET in the region. The monthly, seasonal and annual variations were examinedudwhile wind speeds at different hub heights were got by extrapolating the 10mdata using the power law.udThe results from this investigation showed that all the five sites will only be adequate for non-connectedudelectrical and mechanical applications with consideration to their respective annual mean wind speedsudof 2.747, 4.289, 4.570, 4.386 and 3.158 m/s and annual average power densities of 16.569, 94.113, 76.399,ud71.823 and 26.089W/m2 for Bida, Minna, Makurdi, Ilorin and Lokoja in that order. Weibull parameters kudand c together with the energies for the respective locations were computed while further observationudrevealed that Bida, Minna, Makurdi and Ilorin are windier in the morning than afternoon periods forudmany months in a year whereas Lokoja had a windy afternoon. Additionally, four wind turbines De windud48—600 kW, De wind D6—1250 kW, De wind D7—1500kW and De wind D8—2000kW were technicallyudassessed for electricity generation by calculating their respective yearly energy output and capacity factorudin all the locations.
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