Feasibility Analysis of Offshore Wind Power Projects in the Caribbean Region of Colombia: A Case Study Using FAHP–GIS

Abstract

Planning for offshore wind energy projects is intricate due to the consideration of multiple variables in identifying optimal project areas. The primary challenge lies in locating suitable sites, a process that often necessitates extensive feasibility studies spanning several years. The primary goal of this study is to apply the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to prioritize criteria and sub-criteria, facilitating decision-making in choosing appropriate locations for offshore wind projects in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. The weights derived from FAHP were utilized in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze the physical characteristics of the Caribbean Sea’s surface. This tool plays a critical role in evaluating and selecting sites that fulfill established criteria, providing a database of indicators and map visualizations. Four criteria were defined: technical, environmental, social, and economic, along with fourteen sub-criteria, which were prioritized through FAHP based on expert judgment. The results revealed that the most relevant sub-criteria were protected areas and wind speed. Utilizing the ArcGIS Pro software, five zones meeting the predetermined criteria were identified, defining the most feasible areas for offshore wind farm installation, located in the departments of Guajira, Magdalena, Atlántico and Bolívar. The GIS–FAHP methods proved to be useful for feasibility analysis.

Winds of Change: A Study on the Resource Viability of Offshore Wind Energy in Montenegro

“…Castro et al (2022) conducted a study assessing wind farm construction in the Caribbean region of Colombia using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) integrated with a GIS system as part of the Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) process. Wind speeds were sourced from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the study delineates five feasible zones for offshore wind farm construction based on predefined criteria [21].…”

“…GIS, combined with multilevel decision-making techniques, serves as a fundamental approach in the strategic planning of offshore wind development [21]. In a study by Moltames et al (2021), a methodology leveraging MCDM and GIS software is proposed, considering 14 layers of information in the selection of wind farm construction sites [37].…”

“…The bathymetry of an area significantly influences the choice of supporting structure for wind turbines, thereby impacting the construction costs of wind power plants [21]. In European waters, only 20% of the total wind potential lies within depths of up to 60 m [22].…”