Investigating Wind Energy Potential in Tahiti, French Polynesia

Abstract

In order to achieve France’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the French Polynesian administration has set the objective of producing 100% of the local electricity requirements from renewable energy resources. To this end, we present the wind characteristics at six selected locations in Tahiti. Surface wind observations from 2008 to 2020 obtained from the Meteorological Service of French Polynesia are analysed in terms of wind speed, dominant wind direction and power density to identify the most suitable locations for the deployment of wind farms. The Weibull distribution is used to fit the wind speed data recorded at 10 m above ground level, as it is widely used by turbine manufacturers. Then, wind speed is extrapolated vertically up to the hub height with the power law, which is also commonly used in wind energy studies. The theoretical annual energy output and capacity factor of four selected commercial wind turbines are assessed for each site in order to provide stakeholders with the relevant information regarding wind energy harvesting in Tahiti. Power law indices lower than 0.2 were chosen. Our results show that all year round, two sites, Faaa and Tautira, are suitable to host wind turbines, even with a power law index as low as 0.1.