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Prospects of Wind Energy in Bangladesh

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015
Prospects of Wind Energy in Bangladesh
Md. Tanjin Amin
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh
*Corresponding Author Email Address: moshia.nir@gmail.com
 its use to produce electricity effectively by means of modern
Abstract—Bangladesh is suffering severely from power
crisis in past few years. Fossil fuels are getting diminished
day by day. Bangladesh should look for renewable sources
of energy. Wind can be a solution to this problem. Wind is a
good form of renewable energy. Bangladesh has a long
coastal area. Wind blows in different patterns in different
seasons. Wind turbines should have the capacity to
withstand against 250 km/hr wind in coastal zones.
Previously collected data have been analyzed to evaluate
the potential of wind energy in different spots of
Bangladesh. Feasibility to establish wind turbines in
different zones in mass scale to produce electricity and for
irrigation purpose are described briefly. Working principle
and design considerations to install wind turbines are also
discussed in this paper. Effect of height in average wind
speed and probable power generation is shown here. An
effort has been made to estimate the relevant costs
regarding establishment of a wind turbine.
Index Terms— Fossil Fuel, Windmill, Coastal Zone, Wind Speed,
High Altitude, Wind Energy Costing
I. INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is one of the countries of the world, which has
lowest power per capita. Power demand is increasing
dramatically day by day. The power sector is mainly
dependent on natural gas, found in eastern zone of
Bangladesh. But the supplied amount of natural gas is not
enough to support the present power demand. Moreover,
this demand is ever increasing. To meet up the present
demand, government has established quick rental projects
which are mainly dependent on diesel and furnace oil.
Government is giving a huge amount of subsidy in energy
sector. Besides these, there is a small amount of hydro-
electric power source in Kaptai. In current situation, shifting
to renewable sources is a good option for Bangladesh.
Renewable sources not only give fuel free of cost but also
ensure environment friendly emissions. Among all the
renewable sources, wind is the most promising one. Although
mankind has been using the wind energy since ancient time,
Manuscript Received Jan 10, 2015; Revised Feb 28, 2015; Accepted March 2,
2015.
213
wind turbines is over two decades old [13]. The top five
countries extracting wind energy using windmills; are (2013)
China (91424 MW), USA (61091 MW), Germany (34250 MW),
Spain (22959 MW) and India (20150 MW) [3]. Bangladesh is
situated between 20.30 - 26.38 degrees North latitude and
88.04 - 92.44 degrees East [19]. It has nearly seven hundred
km coastal line [2]. Analysis of upper air data by CWET India
shows that wind energy resource of Bangladesh is not good
enough for grid connected wind parks [1]. But at present,
several research works are undergoing mainly by Bangladesh
Power Development Board (BPDB), well supported by
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET). It
has been already found that, it is feasible to establish small
wind turbines in coastal zones. Beside technical feasibility,
economic feasibility will have to be well defined to entice the
investors. Bangladesh has already launched a project of
harnessing wind power in Muhuri Dam, Feni having a capacity
of 0.99 MW and another one Maheshkhali with a capacity of
2 MW [7]. Ahmmed & Islam evaluated possibility of wind
pumping in irrigation purposes which gives partial solution to
power crisis during irrigation period [4, 9, 10]. Khan, Rahman
& Alam analyzed wind speed data at different spots of
Bangladesh [2]. But they did not give any conception about
the extractable wind energy. Farha, Safa, Rahamatullah & Ali
calculated the rotor dimension to establish wind turbine in a
spot [8]. They also calculated the unit electricity generation
cost by wind energy. But the proposed method considered
relevant costs lower than the real ones. Mahmud & Farjana
made a good comparison of unit electricity generation cost by
different fuels [5]. But the procedure of calculating unit
electricity generation cost is vague. This paper aims to
eliminate these limitations as well as evaluate potential of
wind sector in Bangladesh. This article tries to estimate the
unit electricity generation cost accurately considering safety
margin well above. Emphasis on coastal zones has been given
here as wind speed is higher in these zones. Monthly average
wind speed has been studied to estimate the potential period
of extracting wind energy. To have the data of average wind
speed, previously collected data by different sources has
been analyzed. Helps have been taken from BUET, different
government projects & Bangladesh Meteorological
Department (BMD).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015

II. POWER GENERATION SCENARIO IN BANGLADESH electricity is on the peak in Bangladesh due to the launching
of summer accompanied by heavy demand of water in
Power sector in Bangladesh is inflicted with several problems
irrigation purpose. Interestingly, in most of the regions (at
such as shortage of natural gas, diesel, unreliable old power
least 50%) of Bangladesh suction head in Bangladesh is only 6
plant, increasing number of population etc. In Bangladesh,
meter [9] [10]. Generally, the required pump is of 12 meter
only 39-40% of the population has access to electricity with a
head and 2 cusec capacity [4]. This demand can easily be met
per capita availability of 136KWh per annum. There are more
by harnessing the wind potential. Now, this demand is mainly
than 87,319 villages in Bangladesh, and most of them are not
fulfilled by diesel. Power generation cost by diesel is relatively
connected to the national grid [19]. It is a major challenge for
higher than other fuels. Installation of windmills will not only
government to cope up with the 7% increasing energy
save the higher cost of pumping water for irrigation purpose
demand, while there is already an energy deficit. Current
but also increase the national power generation from a
energy generation on percentage of fuel basis is shown in
dependable source.
figure 1 [16].

IV. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A WIND TURBINE

Wind is actually another form of solar energy. The uneven
heating of the atmosphere causes temperature gradient in
the surface of the earth, which results in the wind flow. The
rotation of earth and irregularities of earth has vital impacts
on wind velocity. Wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of
wind to generate electric or mechanical energy. Mechanical
energy produced by wind turbines can be used to lift water or
to produce electric energy by using generator. The rotor of
wind turbines are connected to a shaft. As wind hits the
turbine blade, the rotor will rotate; as a result shaft will
Figure 1. Power Generation on Percentage of Fuel Basis. rotate to produce mechanical energy. In simplistic view,
working principle of wind turbine is just opposite to that of a
Power sector is heavily dependent on natural gas. This fan.
excessive dependence causes several problems. Due to
shortage in supply of natural gas, there is always a significant
amount of less power generation than the rated one. On
June, 2014 the actual average maximum generation was 6500
MW, while the average demand was 7000 MW [21]. 23% of
power is produced from more than 20 years old power plants
[20]. Government has planned to produce 19000 MW within
2021 [22]. To fulfill the plan, Bangladesh must look for
renewable sources. Wind is the most prospective one among
all the renewable sources after hydro due to lower
generation cost.

III. WIND PROSPECT IN BANGLADESH

During Monsoon, the strong south/south-westerly wind
coming from the Indian Ocean; enters into Asia. This wind
passes through the coastal area of Bangladesh. This wind
blows over the surface of Bangladesh from March to
September, having an average speed of 3 m/s to 6 m/s.
During October to February, wind speed remains relatively Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of a Wind Turbine [5].
lower. The maximum wind speed is gained during June-July
[4]. Establishing wind turbine in coastal areas can be a better There are two basic types of wind turbines: horizontal axis
solution to support the national grid. Besides these places, wind turbines and vertical axis wind turbines (shown in figure
there are a lot of hilly regions and isolated islands in 3). Horizontal axis turbines (more common) need to be aimed
Bangladesh; where wind is available at an average speed of 2 directly at the wind. Because of this, they come with a tail
m/s to 5 m/s all the year. During the April-May, demand of vane that will continuously point them in the direction of the
wind. Vertical axis turbines work whatever direction the wind
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015

is blowing, but require a lot more ground space to support speed data in six potential coastal spots has been recorded
their guy wires than horizontal axis wind turbines [5]. for a period of one year [2]. The data at 25 meter height are
shown in figure 3.
Patenga Cox's Bazar
Teknaf Char Fassion
Kuakata Kutubdia
8

Average Wind Speed (m/s)

6

3
Figure 3. (a) Horizontal Axis WT (b) Vertical Axis WT [5].
2
V. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
1
Blade area needs to be as large as possible to extract more 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
power at same height. Site selection is the most important Month (January-December)
issue. Site of a wind turbine should have steady and strong
wind flow. To have excellent power extraction, the site Figure 4. Monthly Average Wind Speed in Six Different Coastal Spots.
should have at least 7 m/s wind velocity. But in Bangladesh,
It has been observed from figure 4 that, May to August is the
there is hardly any sight which has such potential. With
most suitable period for extracting wind energy. During this
recent development in wind turbine design, it is possible to
period, average monthly wind speed varies from 3.68 m/s to
extract energy from wind having a velocity of 2.5 m/s too.
7.03 m/s. Kuakata has the best suited place among the six
Coastal areas, islands and top of mountains are suitable
spots. Besides Kuakata; Patenga, Kutubdia and Char Fassion
places for wind mills. Height of wind turbine is also
have the good probability to be the sites for installing wind
important. Wind power is directly proportional to the cube of
turbine. It will not be a good decision to establish wind mill in
its velocity. Wind blows in larger velocities in higher altitudes.
Teknaf. But, wind energy is extractable from all the places
The recommended tower height is 24-37 meter. Spacing
from the six spots around the year. Monthly extractable wind
between adjacent turbines needs to be at least several times
energy is shown in table I.
the length of the turbine blades to prevent lowering the
efficiency of the turbines due to one stealing wind from or TABLE I. EXTRACTABLE MONTHLY WIND POWER
causing turbulence for another. One rule of thumb is that
placement between turbines should be about 3 to 7 times of Extractable Wind Energy (watt-hr/m2)
diameters between adjacent turbines in a direction Month Cox's Char Kua- Kutub-
Patenga Teknaf
perpendicular to the wind, and 10 times of diameters spacing Bazar Fassion kata dia
in a direction of the wind [5]. Wind plants should be kept Jan 6.42 2.38 1.47 4.03 5.90 9.08
nearer to grid line to increase cost effectiveness. In coastal Feb 3.46 1.47 1.30 3.57 7.09 6.60
zones, the maximum wind speed goes up to 250 km/hr. So, Mar 5.74 2.67 2.12 8.14 20.95 8.21
wind turbines should have the capacity to wind speed against Apr 4.48 1.18 0.86 6.60 22.27 5.63
this heavy wind speed. May 22.68 11.75 5.47 20.43 45.47 21.47
Jun 36.38 18.34 6.36 35.09 71.72 37.71
VI. STATISTICAL DATA
Jul 33.47 20.30 14.91 26.11 72.60 43.12
Wind speed data in different places of Bangladesh is Aug 24.79 14.70 12.02 25.37 68.53 27.96
available in Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Sep 7.22 9.38 7.74 6.72 10.00 8.57
Wind data has been collected from BMD and other possible
Oct 6.02 9.60 6.60 9.30 1.90 11.75
sources to assess the potentiality of wind energy. Bangladesh
Nov 3.30 4.62 2.23 2.54 1.47 6.19
government had a project named as WEST (Wind Energy
Study Project). Under this project, monthly average wind Dec 4.86 1.07 0.57 11.32 6.90 7.09

215
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015

VII. EFFECT OF HEIGHT

Sample Calculation:
To understand the effect of height average wind speed of
Let us consider the month of July for Kuakata.
each month in Saint Martins Island has been collected from
Average wind velocity, V = 7.34 m/s
3 BMD for two different heights (10 mtr and 30 mtr). These are
Air density, ρ = 1.20 kg/m
3 shown in figure 5 and figure 6.
Wind energy (Ideal) = 0.50 X ρ X V
3 2
= [0.50 X 1.20 X (7.34) ] watt-hr/m
= 237.21 watt-hr/m
2 At 10 meter height
Total loss = Co-efficient of performance of WT X At 30 meter height
Generator loss X Transmission loss 7

Average Wind Speed (m/s)

Usually, Co-efficient of performance of WT = 0.40
Generator loss = 0.85 6
Transmission loss = = 0.90
So, total loss = 0.40 X 0.85 X 0.90 5
= 0.306
2
Actual available amount = (0.306 X 237.21) watt-hr/m 4
2
= 72.60 watt-hr/m
3
The average extractable wind energy at Kuakata is 27.90
2
watt-hr/m
2 2
If we can employ 1000 m blade area in Kuakata to produce
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
wind energy, it will add around 244 MW power yearly to
national grid. Month (January-December)
BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology) Figure 5. Montly Average Wind Speed in Saint Martins.
studied about the feasibility of establishing wind turbine in
Chandona, Gazipur; which is very near to the capital, Dhaka At 10 meter height
[6]. The study result is shown below in table II.
At 30 meter height
55
TABLE II. SCENARIO AT CHANDONA, GAZIPUR
Extractable Power (Watt-hr/m2)

50
Average Wind Speed Extractable Wind Power
Month 45
(m/s) (watt-hr/m2)
Jan 2.74 3.78 40
Feb 2.95 4.71 35
Mar 3.27 6.42 30
Apr 4.31 14.70
25
May 4.23 13.90
Jun 4.20 13.60
20
Jul 3.20 6.02 15
Aug 3.31 6.66 10
Sep 2.76 3.86 5
Oct 2.21 1.98
0
Nov 2.33 2.32
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Dec 2.29 2.20
Month (January-December)

From table II, it is clear that Chandona is not a good place for
installing wind turbine. But it can be noted that, it has
potential to support the demand of irrigation during the
April-June. This will be a good support to the national grid.
Figure 6. Extractable Power in Saint Martins.
It has been observed from figure 5 and figure 6 that, average
wind speed is higher as the height is increased. As a result,
extractable power is increased. Almost 39% more power is
obtainable as the height is increased from 10 meter to 30
meter. To have better understanding, the average monthly

216
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015

average speed and extractable power are shown in figure 7 VIII. COST ESTIMATION & COMPARISON
and figure 8.
It is difficult to estimate the real value of per kw-hr electricity
At 25 meter height cost from wind energy as it is not used to generate power in
mass scale in Bangladesh. A simple way to estimate the value
At 50 meter height
is described below.
10
To generate 100 mw electricity at 50 meter height in Kuakata,
Average Wind Speed (m/s)

9 requires a usable land area of 6900 meter X 4800 meter using

8 the rule of thumb.
Considering 50% more area for operation flexibility, office
7 building and responsible personnel’s residence & other
2
6 facilities total required land area is 49,680,000 m .
Related estimated costs are shown below in table III to
5
evaluate the value of unit electricity generation cost at using
4 wind turbine at 50 meter height.
3
TABLE III. COST ESTIMATION OF ELECTRICITY USING WIND TURBINE IN KUAKATA
2 AT 50 METER HEIGHT

1 Criteria Cost in BDT

Land Value 18576000000
0 Land Development 2790000000
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Civil Structure & Building Related Cost 1500000000
Cost of 40 Sets (Each Having 250 kw capacity)
Month (January-December) Wind Turbine at 50 Meter Height
1300000000
Repair & Maintenance Cost of 10 Years 1000000000
Figure 7. Montly Average Wind Speed in Kuakata.
Man Power Cost of 10 Years 240000000
Grand Total Cost of 10 Years 25406000000
At 25 meter height Cost of 01 Hour 290022.83
Per kw-hr Electricity Cost 2.90
At 50 meter height
120
This unit value may vary from place to place to place
110
Extractable Power (Watt-hr/m2)

depending on the average velocity of wind. In generally, we

100
can consider maximum feasible value BDT 6 / kw-hr.
90
80 Let us have look on the value of unit electricity generation
70 cost using some other sources in table IV.
60
TABLE IV. COST OF UNIT ELECTRICITY GENERATION USING DIFFERENT SOURCES OF
50 POWER
40
30 Unit Electricity Generation Cost
Fuel
20 (BDT/kw-hr)
10 Solar PV 80.68
Diesel 20.45
0 Coal (Imported) 8.60
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Coal (Local) 3.50
Month (January-December) Wind 6.00
Natural Gas 3.10
Figure 8. Extractable Power in Kuakata.
From table IV, it is clear why natural gas is the major source
From figure 7 and figure 8, it is seen that, average monthly of energy in Bangladesh to produce electricity.
wind velocity increases as the height doubles as well as the
extractable power. The extractable power increases almost IX. CONCLUSION
116% as the height doubles.
It has been demonstrated that, Bangladesh has a good wind
potential in many spots. Many places like Chandona can be
used to support the irrigation demand. Study of wind

217
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH
Md. Tanjin Amin, Vol. 2, Issue. 8, pp. 213-218, 2015

behavior should be done at the northern zone of Bangladesh, [11] Mollah, M. B., “Wind data studies at coastal and north-west
where irrigation demand is maximum. Cost comparison area in Bangladesh”, 2nd International Conference on the
shows producing electricity by wind is much cheaper than Developments in Renewable Energy Technology ICDRET, 2012,
p. 1-5.
diesel and solar PV. The main reason of reluctance of
[12] A.K.M. Sadrul Islam, “Appropriate Renewable Energy
investing in wind energy is higher initial cost. Initial cost is
Technology Options for Bangladesh”.
almost 4-5 times higher for wind sector that of in gas sector. [13] Rosa, A. V., “Fundamental of Renewable Energy Process”,
If we can establish wind turbines in mass scale, unit electricity Amsterdam: Elsevier Inc., 2005.
generation cost will surely reduce. In near future, wind will be [14] Beurskens, H. J. M., “Feasibility Study of Windmills for Water
the major source of energy in Bangladesh as well as all over Supply in Mara region”, Tanzania, SWD Publication, P.O. Box 85,
the world since the stock of fossil fuels is diminishing day by Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 1978.
day. Bangladesh government should provide easy loans to [15] “Wind Energy Resources Mapping in Coastal Regions of
investors to encourage investing in wind energy. Coastal Bangladesh”, a project of Local Government Engineering
Department (LGED) financed by United Nation Development
zones should be kept in focus as wind potential is more there
Program (UNDP) in 2003.
than any other zones. Kuakata has been found the most
[16] http://www.powerdivision.gov.bd/user/brec/49/89
promising spot than others. June-August is the most suitable [17] http://www.bpc.gov.bd/
period for extracting wind power. On the other hand, [18] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Bangladesh
October-December is the period of probability of having [19] Sadiyah Sabah Chowdhury, Arnab Bhattacharjee, Cyrus Ashok
lowest or no wind energy. Wind turbines should be Arupratan Atis, Dr. Md. Mahbubul Alam, “Solar Pump:
established as high as possible, since wind velocity increases Mitigating The Agro Power Crisis In Bangladesh”,
as the height increases. Bangladesh government has INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY
established wind turbines in Maheshkhali and Muhuri Dam of RESEARCH, Vol. 2, Issue. 4, 2013, p. 720-726.
[20] Bangladesh Power Executives Learn About Turkey's Power Plant
3 MW cumulatively. Success of these projects will certainly
Operation & Maintenance Best Practices, Published on United
motivate to establish windmills in mass scale.
States Energy Association (http://usea.org)
[21] http://www.bpdb.gov.bd/
REFERENCES [22] http://www.powerdivision.gov.bd/user/brec/112/58
[1] Local Government Engineering Department (LGED),
“Sustainable Rural Energy” web site (http://www.lged.org/sre).
Md. Tanjin Amin received the B.Sc. degree in
[2] Mohammad Golam Kibria Khan, Talha Rahman and M.M. Alam,
Mechanical Engineering with major in Applied
“WIND ENERGY IN BANGLADESH: PROSPECTS AND UTILIZATION Mechanics from the Bangladesh University of
INITIATIVES”. 3rd International Conference on Electrical & Engineering & Technology (BUET), Bangladesh in
Computer Engineering ICECE 2004, 28-30 December 2004, 2013.
Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is working as a Senior Executive in Square
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power Denims Ltd. His research interests include
[4] Ahmed, S., “Investigation and Analysis of Wind Pumping System applied mechanics, CFD, fluid mechanics, wind
for Irrigation in Bangladesh”, M.Sc Engineering Thesis, BUET, energy, thermal energy and machine design. He
holds 5 publications in the fields of applied
February 2000, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
mechanics, CFD, thermodynamics and textile
[5] M. A. Parvez Mahmud, Shahjadi Hisan Farjana, “Wind Power manufacturing technology.
Technology Schemes as Renewable Energy in Bangladesh”,
International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology
(IJEAT), ISSN: 2249 – 8958, Volume-1, Issue-5, June 2012, p.
315-319.
[6] Rupesh C.R., “Evaluation of Wind Energy pattern for Chandona-
Gajipur Dhaka”, M.Sc. Engineering Thesis, BUET, 1999, Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
[7] National Energy Policy by Bangladesh Power Development
Board (BPDB).
[8] Nazia Farha, Md. Nur-Us-Safa, B.D. Rahamatullah, Md.
Sekendar Ali, “Prospects of Wind Energy in the Coastal Region
of Bangladesh”, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering
Research, ISSN 2229-5518, Volume 3, Issue 8, August, 2012.
[9] Sultan Ahmmed, Quamrul Islam, “Wind analysis for studying
the feasibility of using wind turbine for agricultural application”
ICRESD, 2003, p. 227-232.
[10] Sultan Ahmmed, Quamrul Islam, “A Study of Prospect of Wind
Resources for Water Pumping and Electricity Generation in
Bangladesh”, ICME, 2001, p. 53-59.

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