Strategic renewable energy resources selection for Pakistan: Based on SWOT-Fuzzy AHP approach. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ying; Xu, Li; Solangi, Yasir Ahmed
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 52(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Renewable energy resources -- Sustainable development -- SWOT analysis -- Fuzzy AHP -- Pakistan; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2019.101861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: The SWOT analysis and Fuzzy AHP method are used to assess the renewable resources of Pakistan. The Assessment of renewable resources based on 4 criteria and 17 sub-criteria. Economic and socio-political is determined as most significant criteria. Wind energy is considered as a preferable renewable resource for sustainable electricity generation. Abstract: Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis since the last two decades, and yet the government has not been able to overcome this problem. Therefore, the various renewable energy resources of Sindh and Baluchistan province has been assessed to diversify the electricity generation from fossil fuels to renewable energy. In the study, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis has been employed to assess the internal and external factors which affect the renewable energy technologies in Sindh and Baluchistan province. Then, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) method is used from the multi-perspective approach (i.e., economic, environmental, technical, and socio-political criteria). Therefore in the study, four criteria, seventeen sub-criteria and three renewable energy resources (i.e., solar, wind, and biomass) have been assessed as alternatives in the decision model. It is identified that economic and socio-political are the two most important criteria. Further results reveal that wind has ample potential to generate electricity in both (Sindh and Baluchistan) provinces, whereas solar and biomass energy ranked second and third, respectively. It is, therefore, suggested that the government should exploit renewable resources to mitigate the current energy crisis and increase energy security for sustainable development of the country.