Determination of suitable areas for wind power plant installation in Şanlıurfa with GIS and AHP

Abstract

Despite the increasing energy consumption day by day, the demand for energy is also
growing. Currently, energy is obtained in two different ways: renewable and non-renewable
sources. Non-renewable sources cannot meet the increasing energy demand due to their
limited availability. The use of non-renewable sources results in carbon emissions, posing a
risk to living beings. Therefore, people have turned to renewable energy sources in search
of alternative solutions. Wind energy, as one of the renewable energy sources, stands out as
a clean and sustainable energy source. To harness this source, it is necessary to establish
Wind Power Plants (WPP). For the efficient operation of these plants, proper site selection
is crucial. In this study, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy
Process (AHP) method were utilized to determine suitable areas for WPP installation in a
part of Şanlıurfa province. Seven criteria were identified to be considered in determining the
suitable areas for WPP, including wind speed, land use, slope, distance to power
transmission lines, distance to highways, distance to active fault lines, and distance to
residential areas. These criteria were compared with each other using the AHP method to
establish a priority ranking. Based on this ranking, the areas suitable for WPP installation
were evaluated. The evaluation results identified a total area of 42.68 km² as highly suitable
for WPP installation in the study area.