Wind energy resource assessment for the Fiji Islands: Kadavu Island and Suva Peninsula

Wind energy assessment of two sites in the Fiji Islands is presented. The wind resource of the remote island of Kadavu is analysed along with the urban Suva Peninsula. The former has average (mean) wind speeds of 3.59 ms−1and 3.88 ms-1 at 20 m and 34 m above ground level (AGL). The latter has average wind speeds of 5.65 ms-1 and 6.38 ms-1, respectively. The prevailing wind direction for both the sites corresponds to the South-East winds. A wind shear analysis shows the variations in wind speeds during different periods of the day for the Suva site. A high resolution wind resource map of both the sites is simulated using the WAsP software for a radius of 5 km. The WasP analysis indicates good wind power development potential for Kadavu is for the windward side of the Kadavu ridge in the eastern region. The Suva Peninsula site showed good wind power development potential for the Laucala Bay area. A power analysis using the Vestas V27 225 kW turbine is carried out for the specific sites.