Evaluating Renewable Energy and Ranking 17 Autonomous Communities in Spain: A TOPSIS Method

Abstract

Transitioning to renewable energy is becoming increasingly imperative, particularly for countries with limited energy supplies. To achieve this transition, all sectors must cooperate and coordinate to focus on renewable energy as a pillar of sustainable development. This study evaluates the status of renewable energy in each Spanish community, considering policies, frameworks, and elements of sustainable development. Using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodology, seventeen autonomous communities of Spain were analyzed based on ten selected indicators. The results show that Castile and León, La Rioja, Murcia, and Aragon are in the top ranks of the first sustainable group, while Navarre, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Asturias are in the less sustainable group. This research presents novel contributions towards the adoption of sustainability-oriented policies aimed at enhancing energy systems, stimulating economic growth, and achieving zero-carbon energy targets in Spain. By enhancing the self-sufficiency of energy communities, they can attain demand-side energy independence, decreasing the requirement for government intervention, and mitigating concerns regarding the adequacy of energy resources. This can ultimately enhance social well-being, emphasizing the importance of sustainable energy systems for regional development in Spain.