Spatial multi-criteria decision making approach for wind farm site selection: A case study in Balıkesir, Turkey

This study presents a spatial multi-criteria decision making (SMCDM) approach based on geographic information system (GIS) for determining the sites that have potential for wind farm installation in Balıkesir, Turkey. Topographical, structural, climatic, and environmental criteria consisting of wind speed, land cover type, slope of terrain, and distance from substations, road networks, settlements, fault lines, electricity grid, and seaports are considered in the approach. Weights, derived from evaluation involving the use of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) questionnaire, and scored criteria maps, are used in creation of a wind farm suitability map. The results of the study demonstrate that 2.34 % of the total area under consideration is in the most suitable class, while 9.34 % is in the next most suitable class. The study introduces the seaport criterion for the first time in onshore wind turbine site selection. The findings show that considering the seaport criterion provides a more realistic approach of feasible wind turbine site selection. This is clearly seen in the 13 % decrease in the most suitable area. When the wind farm suitability map is evaluated on a district scale, Bandırma takes first place compared to other districts. A sensitivity analysis performed with equal criteria weights indicates that the results are generally reliable.