Marine Suitability Assessment for Offshore Wind Farms’ Deployment in Thrace, Greece

Abstract

The exploitation of renewable energy resources is an effective option to respond to climate change challenges. Wind energy can be exploited more efficiently and effectively than any other renewable energy source. By switching from onshore wind energy projects to offshore, the positive aspects of onshore wind energy remain and, at the same time, no valuable onshore area is occupied, while their efficiency (e.g., capacity factor) is increased. Greece has a rich wind potential and the maritime region of Thrace is one of Greece’s maritime regions with the greatest potential for the development of offshore wind energy. The aim of the present paper is to identify the most appropriate sites for the deployment of offshore wind farms in the region of Thrace. The methodology includes (i) the delineation of the study area and the definition of the support structure of the wind turbine, (ii) the identification of seven (7) exclusion and fifteen (15) assessment criteria, (iii) the suitability analysis under five different zoning scenarios (equal weight, environmental, social, techno-economic, and researchers’ subjective), and (iv) the micro siting and qualitative assessment of the most suitable sites based on energy, environmental, social, and economic criteria. The methodology is based on the combined use of Geographical Information Systems (GISs), specifically ArcGIS Desktop version 10.8.1, wind assessment software tools (WaSPs), specifically WaSP version 12.8, and multi-criteria decision-making methods. The results of the paper illustrate that the optimal suitability area that is proposed for offshore wind farm deployment is located at the easternmost end of the Greek part of the Thracian Sea. The planning and the deployment of offshore wind farm projects should follow a holistic and environmentally driven approach to ensure the integrity of all habitats and species affected.