Imamverdiyev, N. S. Assessing Wind Energy Potential in Azerbaijan (Case of Shorabad Settlement, Khizi District)

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of Azerbaijan’s wind energy potential, using the Shorabad settlement in the Khizi district as a representative case study. The strategic importance of wind energy in the context of the global energy transition and climate change is highlighted, and the natural and geographical advantages of the area, as well as existing infrastructure opportunities, are examined. Analysis of long-term datasets from NASA POWER (1981–2024), the Global Wind Atlas, and local meteorological stations revealed an average annual wind speed of 5.46 m/s. This wind regime was further characterized using statistical modeling based on the Weibull distribution. The spatial variation of wind speed, land use, and proximity to the power grid was evaluated through GIS analysis. Energy yield modeling for the Vestas V90-2.0 MW turbine indicates an annual generation potential of 2.9–3.50 GWh, corresponding to a capacity factor (CF) of 0.20 under the prevailing wind conditions. Based on a conservative siting scenario (25 km² area, accommodating approximately 54 turbines with a total capacity of 108 MW), the annual energy production is estimated at 156.6–189.0 GWh/year, corresponding to approximately 0.55%–0.67% of Azerbaijan’s annual electricity generation. The findings indicate that Shorabad possesses favorable characteristics, including flat topography, limited vegetation, and proximity to existing infrastructure, which collectively render it a suitable location for a wind power project (WPP).