Feasibility Analysis of Offshore Wind Power Projects in the Caribbean Region of Colombia: A Case Study Using FAHP–GIS

Planning for offshore wind energy projects is intricate due to the consideration of multiple variables in identifying optimal project areas. The primary challenge lies in locating suitable sites, a process that often necessitates extensive feasibility studies spanning several years. The primary goal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2023-12, Vol.15 (24), p.16620
Main Authors: Castro, Adalberto Ospino, Robles-Algarín, Carlos, Hernández-Callejo, Luis, Muñoz Maldonado, Yecid, Cordero, Amanda Mangones
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative energy sources
Buildings and facilities
Case studies
Climate change
Decision-making
Energy resources
Fuzzy sets
Geographic information systems
Geography
Geospatial data
Green technology
Multiple criteria decision making
Offshore
Renewable resources
Wind farms
Wind power
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Summary:Planning for offshore wind energy projects is intricate due to the consideration of multiple variables in identifying optimal project areas. The primary challenge lies in locating suitable sites, a process that often necessitates extensive feasibility studies spanning several years. The primary goal of this study is to apply the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to prioritize criteria and sub-criteria, facilitating decision-making in choosing appropriate locations for offshore wind projects in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. The weights derived from FAHP were utilized in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze the physical characteristics of the Caribbean Sea’s surface. This tool plays a critical role in evaluating and selecting sites that fulfill established criteria, providing a database of indicators and map visualizations. Four criteria were defined: technical, environmental, social, and economic, along with fourteen sub-criteria, which were prioritized through FAHP based on expert judgment. The results revealed that the most relevant sub-criteria were protected areas and wind speed. Utilizing the ArcGIS Pro software, five zones meeting the predetermined criteria were identified, defining the most feasible areas for offshore wind farm installation, located in the departments of Guajira, Magdalena, Atlántico and Bolívar. The GIS–FAHP methods proved to be useful for feasibility analysis.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su152416620