Multicriteria Analysis Of The Use Of Paraguay's Hydroelectricity Surplus Based On The Analytic Network Process (ANP)

The abundance of electric energy, generated mainly by the binational hydroelectric dams of Itaipu and Yacyreta, constitutes a strategic asset for the development of Paraguay. This has a great impact on the economic growth and social progress of the country, through the planned infrastructure growth and the development of the productive sector, mainly industry, based on a greater share of electricity in the energy matrix. In fact, it can be said that Paraguay, from different perspectives, urgently needs to take advantage of the large levels of clean energy available, encouraging the penetration of hydropower into the energy demand matrix, replacing biomass and oil. In this context, a wide public debate on the use of hydropower surplus has been around in the country for many years. The different alternatives for its implementation are often characterized by the conflict between different objectives, such as political, social, economic, technical, and environmental points of view. With this proposal, it is planned to generalize the analysis hierarchical process, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) to develop a decision-making tool for the best use of Paraguay's hydroelectric surpluses within the framework of a sustainable policy, considering quantitative and qualitative aspects, difficult to identify through usual evaluation approaches. This tool has a high scientific and avant-garde component to make essential decisions that would produce the greatest benefits for the integral development of the country.