A Comprehensive Resource Assessment for Wind Power Generation on the Rural Island of Sibuyan, Philippines

Abstract

Amid rising energy demands in rural areas, thorough resource assessments for initiatives such as wind power are crucial. This study involves a land resource assessment for wind power generation on the rustic Sibuyan Island in the Philippines, which is currently experiencing an electricity shortage. A comprehensive overview of the island’s suitability for wind energy projects is performed via evaluation and analysis using geospatial data and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). The research results indicate that 50.44% (220.68 km2) of the island’s land area is categorized as ‘poorly suitable’ since it considers protected areas where developments are not allowed. Only 0.08% (0.35 km2) of the island can be classified as ‘marginally suitable’, while 9.15% (40.73 km2), 36.64% (176.39 km2), and 0.69% (3.05 km2) are labeled as ‘moderately suitable’, ‘suitable’, and ‘highly suitable’, respectively. This confirms the potential for wind energy exploration on the island. Delineating the suitability levels provides a foundational framework for stakeholders that enables them to identify optimal sites for wind power, sustain the island’s resources, and contribute to the renewable energy landscape of this rural location. Overall, this study, underpinned by data analysis, offers invaluable insights for decision making in wind power development, with the presented framework adaptable to other areas of interest.

Keywords

• resource assessment
• renewable energy
• rural energy resources
• GIS
• multi-criteria decision making
• analytical hierarchy process