The Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential in Peninsular Malaysia

This paper presents an assessment of the wind energy potential in Peninsular Malaysia. The five selected sites in Peninsular Malaysia which are Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu and Mersing. The data used are real- time wind data obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Services (MMS) from year 2005 until year 2009. The statistical analysis was performed by computing the Weibull distribution using maximum likelihood method. The results reveal that Mersing is the most potential site for installing wind turbine. The average annually wind speed within five years is 2.65m/s in this region. According to the international system wind classification, this average annually wind speed can be classified as Class 1. Moreover, the results of mean wind power density indicates that Mersing experiencing peak mean wind speed during the northeast monsoon with approximately as much as 62W/m2. Other regions having Wind Power Density (WPD) close to 10W/m2 during the stronger wind speed seasonal. From the results, it is revealing that most of the regions in Peninsular Malaysia are having limited wind energy potential except Mersing. Hence, there is a high potential on applying the small-scale wind turbine system at Mersing for power generation purposes.