In the southwest part of the NWT, there is limited/minimal wind energy potential. ~7-10 years ago, the Arctic Energy Alliance also created Renewable Energy Profiles for all 33 communities in the NWT. In Fort Simpson, where I live, the average wind speed was calculated to be: 2.67 m/s. All of the communities in the Dehcho Territory, & the majority of the small communities not situated near a larger water body, were found to be a little below or just above 3 m/s.
The higher average wind speed readings came from Yellowknife at 4.07 m/s & the coastal Arctic NWT communities – Ulukhaktok at 3.84 m/s, Paulatuk at 3.97 m/s, Tuktoyaktuk at 4.66 m/s, and Sachs Harbour at 5.42 m/s.
Overall, the average wind speeds calculated about a decade ago reveal that wind only has high potential in Sachs Harbour and a medium potential in half a dozen or so other communities.
Recently, some folks have become aware of a more accurate/effective way to gather wind speed data than what was used 10 years ago, which may reveal a high wind energy potential for a number of communities here in the NWT where this improved technique is used.
