Assessment of Wind Energy Resource Potential Along the Coastal Belt of Lagos State

The coastal belt of Lagos State, exposed to southwesterly maritime winds from the Atlantic Ocean, represents one of Nigeria's most promising wind energy resource zones. Quantitative characterisation of the wind resource at hub heights relevant to small and medium wind turbines is necessary to attract investment in coastal wind energy development. This study assesses the wind energy resource potential along the Lagos coastal belt using meteorological tower wind speed data from stations at Badagry, Tarkwa Bay, and Lagos Harbour over a five-year period. The Weibull probability distribution is fitted to measured wind speed data at heights of 10, 40, and 80 metres using the maximum likelihood method. The mean wind power density and annual energy production for a representative 250 kW wind turbine are calculated. Results indicate mean wind speeds of 3.2 to 5.8 m per second at 10 metres, increasing to 4.9 to 7.6 m per second at 80 metres. The Tarkwa Bay station records the highest mean power density of 248 W per square metre at 80 metres, marginal for Class 3 wind energy development. Capacity factor estimates of 18 to 31 percent are computed. The study recommends detailed meso-scale wind mapping for the Lagos offshore zone. Keywords: wind energy, Weibull distribution, coastal wind, Lagos State, power density