PROSPECTS FOR HARNESSING WIND-POWER ECONOMICALLY IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

Wind power as a source of harnessible energy is assessed. Average data over the 10 year period, 1985-1994, have been compiled for 12 differe nt widely spaced locations in Oman. It is concluded that the three mos t promising sites for the economic harnessing of wind-power are Thumra it (latitude 17.67 degrees N and altitude 466.86 m above sea level), M asirah (latitude 20.67 degrees N and altitude 18.80 m above sea level) and Sur (latitude 22.54 degrees N, and altitude 13.7 m above sea leve l). These locations are situated in the Southwest monsoon region of in fluence. The largest wind speeds occur during the summer from June to August. The highest (i.e. similar to 10 m s(-1)) long-term (i.e. over 10 years) monthly mean wind speed is that for Thumrait and ensues duri ng the month of July. (C) 1997. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.