Wind energy corridor identification for electricity-deficient areas of Pakistan using geospatial technologies

Pakistan is facing a huge energy crisis although the country has a surplus of renewable energy. Conventional energy sources are unable to meet the growing population’s needs, and it is inevitable to add alternative energy resources such as wind farms to meet the future demand. The suitable site selection for the development of wind farms is usually based on location. However, other factors like environmental, social, and economic factors also play a vital role in the planning stage for the development of wind farms. This study aims to find the wind energy corridors within or near the un-electrified villages of Pakistan using geospatial technologies and the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) technique. The resultant maps were compared with settlements situated in high-energy corridors for future ventures, energy generation, and electrification projects. High-resolution geographic information system (GIS) data and census data were used to identify completely electrified, half-electrified, partially electrified, and un-electrified villages and households linked with wind energy corridors and transmission lines. This research provided scientifically viable methodologies to efficiently manage energy resources, especially wind forms for future planning. The obtained result highlighted huge wind potential areas all over Pakistan especially in western Baluchistan, southern Sind, mountainous regions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Indus Valley hills, and ridges in northern Punjab. It observed that the 265,736.5 km 2 (8.89%) area of Pakistan lies in a fair to superb wind energy corridor. The Baluchistan province is the most resourceful province having 23,956 km 2 (6.9%) area with fair to superb wind energy potential.