An Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making for the Selection of Lands Suitable for Wind Energy Harvesting
Received: 12 May 2025 | Revised: 6 June 2025, 17 June 2025, and 20 June 2025 | Accepted: 28 June 2025 | Online: 6 October 2025
Corresponding author: Qayssar Mahmood Ajaj
Abstract
The renewable energy demand has increased the need to develop efficient methods for assessing suitable land for wind energy installations. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of land in Kirkuk City for wind energy projects by combining multi-criteria decision analysis with remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Various environmental factors, along with topographical features and infrastructure, were integrated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to classify the land into areas of different suitability levels. The region analyzed includes 61.77 km² of highly suitable land, 123.152 km² of moderately suitable land, and 46.807 km² of the least suitable land. The northeastern quadrant of Kirkuk City contains Site 1, with 12 km² of highly suitable land, while Site 2 at the southeastern edge of the city covers 9 km² of highly suitable land. It has been found that the wind power projects can be developed in specific regions, but sustainable development and environmental conservation remain essential. The combination of GIS and remote sensing technologies enhances the energy infrastructure development, enabling more informed decision-making.
Keywords:
remote sensing, wind energy, suitability, multi-criteria decision, Kirkuk city, GISDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2025 Qayssar Mahmood Ajaj, Suzan Atta Bakr, Zeena Hussein Shakoor, Arjan Sharfuldeen Omar, Esraa Najmuldeen Shakir
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