Balancing Stakeholders’ Perspectives for Sustainability: GIS-MCDM for Onshore Wind Energy Planning

Delmaria Richards, Helmut Yabar (), Takeshi Mizunoya, Randy Koon Koon, Gia Hong Tran and Yannick Esopere
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Delmaria Richards: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Division of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering, Information and Life Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
Helmut Yabar: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Division of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering, Information and Life Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
Takeshi Mizunoya: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
Randy Koon Koon: School of Mechanical Engineering, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 2JH, UK
Gia Hong Tran: Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung City 407, Taiwan
Yannick Esopere: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Division of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering, Information and Life Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-41

Abstract: This study supports Jamaica’s renewable energy implementation strategies by providing updated wind atlases and identifying suitable locations for future wind farms. Using a GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process with multi-criteria decision-making (AHP-MCDM), this research integrates stakeholders’ opinions, environmental considerations, and technical factors to assess land suitability for wind energy development. The analysis reveals that Jamaica has the potential to increase its wind power output by 8.99% compared to the current production of 99 MW. This expansion could significantly contribute to offsetting fossil fuel-based energy consumption and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It identifies sites across several parishes, including Westmoreland, Clarendon, St. Mary, and St. James, as highly suitable for utility-scale wind farm development. By providing detailed spatial information and estimated energy outputs, this research offers valuable insights for energy planners, investors, and policymakers to create sustainable energy policies and advance Jamaica’s 50% renewable energy goal by 2030.

Keywords: environmental evaluation; geographic information system (GIS); multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); carbon dioxide emission reduction; spatial energy systems planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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