Abstract:
The effects of traditional methods of power generation on the environment have created a need
to strategically plan and develop renewable and sustainable energy generation systems. This
study presents a GIS-based multi-criteria approach to identify the most potential or suitable sites
for wind farm development in Bahir Dar city and Bahir Dar zuriya District. Criteria for analysis
have been identified based on literature review. To identify potential wind farm sites, wind
speed, slope, land use/ land cover, geology, distance from grids, distance from roads and
distance from settlement were taken into account. In order to estimate the weights or relative
importance of the criteria, the pairwise comparison method in the context of Analytic Hierarchy
Process is implemented. The overall suitability of the study area is determined through the
Weighted Overlay method. The outcome or suitability map is classified into five scored classes
from extremely suitable to not suitable area. The results indicate that 36.58% of the study area is
not suitable for wind farms; 1.62% less suitable; 22.58% suitable; 36.59% very suitable and
2.63% extremely suitable. The suggested extreme suitable areas for wind farm sites fall in
northwestern and southern part of the study area. GIS and remote sensing techniques are
important tools for wind farm site selection. GIS and remote sensing technology for
identification of suitable wind farm site minimize environmental problems. This study,
recommend, the government should give high attention for wind farm site selection and
encourage investors who need to invest in wind energy to realize the objective of climate
resilient green economy.