Offshore wind potential and wind atlas over the Oman Maritime Zone

This study, focused on Oman, has been motivated by the electrical power demand increase, global warming concerns, and technological advances in renewable energy production. The main objective of the study was to investigate the offshore wind potential and develop the wind atlas over the Oman Maritime Zone (OMZ). The study is based on wind data derived from the high-resolution numerical weather prediction (WRF) model. National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis global model data (0.5°) was used to derive a 9-km-resolution WRF model. This intermediate resolution was then further used to produce a high-resolution (3 km) WRF model. The model data were validated using ground measurement observations under different topographical conditions. Annual, seasonal, and monthly wind distribution over the OMZ are presented using the Geographical Information System environment from different heights above the mean sea level, namely 10 m, 20 m, 50 m, 80 m, and 100 m. In addition, the wind power density along the OMZ region was calculated as a postprocessing product of the model run. Finally, daily time series data are presented for selected points along the coastal areas of Oman. The study results show that the annual average wind speed over the southeastern region reached 8 m/s and peaked at above 10 m/s around the South Coast of Oman. Further, the wind speed during summer months (May–September) was much higher than in other months of the year.