EVALUATION OF WIND ENERGY RESOURCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE AND CORNWALL COUNCILS, UNITED KINGDOM

Emmanuel Ugbedeojo Itodo, David Haruna

This study aimed to assess the wind energy potential in the United Kingdom, focusing on the East Riding of Yorkshire and Cornwall Councils. A comparative analysis was conducted by sampling two weather stations from each region to obtain and analyze wind characteristics. The annual energy yield for both regions was calculated over a four-year period. Data analysis involved frequencies, averages, T-tests, tables, and charts. The results indicated that wind speeds in the East Riding of Yorkshire ranged from 1 m/s to 23 m/s, with an average speed of 5.9 m/s, while Cornwall exhibited wind speeds from 1 m/s to 29 m/s, with an average of 8 m/s. The Hummer H25.0-200KW turbine was recommended for smaller installations, such as companies and schools, while the Enercon E-160 EP5 E3 turbine was suggested for larger installations, such as government projects. The potential annual energy yield in the East Riding of Yorkshire was estimated to be between 40,792 kWh and 111,695 kWh, while in Cornwall, it ranged from 50,580 kWh to 83,983 kWh. The T-test results revealed no significant difference in wind speed characteristics between the two counties (p = 0.248, p > 0.05) and no significant difference in their annual wind energy potentials (p = 0.417, p > 0.05). These findings suggest that to achieve the UK Government's wind energy target of 55 GW by 2030, a substantial number of turbines and large wind farms must be installed across all suitable sites in both counties.