Site selection for nuclear power plants using geographic information system and analytical hierarchy process: A case study on Khulna division, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study aims to find a suitable site for a nuclear power plant using the geographic information system and analytical hierarchy process in the Khulna division, Bangladesh. Selection of a suitable site for a nuclear power plant is vital for the safety of the installation, workers, the public, and the environment. This study was conducted considering four stages, namely conceptual and planning, area survey, site characterization, and site confirmation stage. In the area survey stage, six criteria were divided into twelve sub-criteria, namely population density, earthquake, river, riverbank erosion, airport, road and railway, protected area, forest, groundwater table, rainfall, wind speed, and thunderstorm. A suitability map of each sub-criterion was made using geographic information system software. The weighting of each criterion was determined using an analytical hierarchy process and finally, a geographic information system-based overlay analysis was performed to prepare the final suitability map of the Khulna division which indicates 315.30 km2 and 2991.27 km2 of its total area as the most suitable and suitable, respectively for nuclear power plant establishment. Twenty-six potential areas were selected from the most suitable areas for further study. This study follows a comprehensive methodology and thus may help policymakers for the establishment of nuclear power plants in Bangladesh and abroad.