FEATURES OF THE WIND REGIME IN THE VOLGA FEDERAL DISTRICT IN THE LAST DECADE
In this work the wind regime in the territory of the Volga Federal District (VFD) is studied with the use of temporary ranks of average monthly values of wind speed at 183 meteorological stations during the period of 1966-2009 years. Average sizes, characteristics of variability, anomaly of wind speeds, linear trends, and correlation models between the points are analyzed. It is shown that the average long-term wind speeds increase in the territory of Volga federal district in the direction from the North (from 2 m/c) to the south (to 4 m/c); the maximum values are observed in the central strip. The trend analysis revealed a temporary tend of deceasing wind speed in the whole territory of the district with a speed in the width range of values depending on location of station and month of the year of-0,2-0,5 (m/s) / 10 years. The assessment of wind power capacity of the Volga federal district in the layer 10-150 M is given, which varies according to the size of specific power at level 10 m within 10-130 W/m <sup>2</sup> and completely is defined by a picture of winds. VEP considerably increases with height.