Feasibility study for wind power generation for some of the islands in the Kuwaiti Territorial Waters

Wind power is the most prominent and most rapidly expanding renewable energy source on the planet. The maritime area of Kuwait is almost 10,000km2 and boasts such strategically important islands as Bubiyan, Failaka, Qaruh and Umm Al-Maradim. This thesis is investigating if the wind power is suitable for generating enough power to these islands. Wind data, measured over a period of 5 years, has been used in estimating wind power availability around these islands. The raw data were taken from anemometers that were 10m above the Mean Sea Level at five stations and extrapolated up to a height of 50m, where the hub of the wind rotors will be situated. The winds in the Kuwaiti territorial waters are well suited to power production by offshore wind farms, where the average speed of the wind does not fall below 6 m/s, and turbines of up to 2MW can be employed. As most of the wind turbines are designed to last 20-25 years, the power needs for the Kuwaiti Islands were estimated for that period. The needed number of turbines to generate enough power was assessed, and suggestions were made for both the best location for installing wind farms and the most appropriate rotor capacities. Relevant restrictions were taken into consideration and areas were resultantly excluded so as to enhance the success of the project as well as to increase the nautical safety factor. Elements capable of affecting the final output power were borne in mind so as to guarantee the most valid estimation of the final output power in the Kuwaiti marine area. The sea-based area of Kuwait that can be designated for the installation of wind farms is capable of producing around 69 TWh/year (assuming that 2MW capacity rotors are installed)