Risk Identification of Wind Energy Development in Iraq

The relevance of this paper is related to the energy crisis in Iraq and the need for a partial transition to affordable and environmentally friendly sources of electricity supply. One of such sources is wind energy. The purpose of the work is to determine the wind energy potential of Iraq and the identification and risk assessment of projects for the construction of wind energy facilities. For this purpose, the relief of the ground surface was analyzed, average wind speeds and average wind power density at heights of 10 m, 50 m and 100 m were determined for Iraq as a whole and separately for its regions using Global Wind Atlas. Based on the obtained indicators and the minimum wind speed required for launching powerful wind turbines, two areas - Basra and Al-Amara - were selected for further study. For them, the average monthly speeds per year were determined and wind roses were plotted using the RETScreen program (NASA). To determine the wind power plant output in Basra and El-Amara districts, several plants with rated power of 1000 kW with tower height of 70 m were selected: Bonus -1MW/54 (rotor diameter d=54.2 m), A-1000/S (d=54.2 m), Nordex N54-70 m (d=54 m), Gev HP 62/7070 m (d=62 m). The results of wind power capacity calculation at different speeds are presented graphically. Considering the results of the study on the potential for realization of different level of wind turbine power generation projects, a SWOT-analysis was conducted. Identification and risk assessment was carried out with determination of the degree of damage and probability.