Application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) for site selection of offshore wind farms in India

Wind energy is one of the promising alternatives to a clean and sustainable source of energy that guarantees a better tomorrow. This research work proposes a new Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) integrated with Geographical Information System (GIS) approach to determine the optimal locations for the installation of offshore wind farms in Gujarat, India, under the country's renewable energy program. Four major criteria, viz., wind speed, optimum depth, distance from the shore, and relative humidity, have been considered during the site selection. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) has been applied to determine the relative weights of each of the criteria. Pairwise comparisons of the criteria were obtained through a thorough review of literature. The weights obtained through the AHP were then applied in QGIS (R), an open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The final wind farm suitability map was obtained using a Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method. The suitability map has been divided into five zones, and a second-level AHP was conducted with respect to the criteria to determine the most optimal zone. The results of this research work will be a useful tool for policymakers, energy commissions, and other stakeholders to determine the most optimal location to install wind farms for maximum efficiency.