Assessment Primorsky Krai coastal zone suitability for the offshore wind energy development
Abstract
The article addresses the identification of the most suitable coastal areas of Primorsky Krai for the installation of offshore wind farms, including the potential use of the generated electricity for the production of “green” hydrogen. The analytic hierarchy process, combined with fuzzy logic applied for the unification of absolute parameter values, was selected as the assessment method. Eleven criteria influencing the suitability of territories for wind farm deployment were analyzed. Six experts in the relevant field were surveyed to determine the weights of the criteria, and the absolute values were unified. After obtaining the suitability index, areas where wind farm installation was technically undesirable were excluded from consideration. As a result, the highest suitability values were identified in Ussuri Bay, in the coastal zone near the ports of Vostochny and Nakhodka, as well as in the vicinity of the port of Olga. The development of wind energy may serve as an important driver of regional growth both from a technological perspective and in addressing energy shortages, while the production of “green” hydrogen could establish the region as a major hub for hydrogen trade among the Asia-Pacific countries. All of the above correspond to national priorities as outlined in the Concept for the Development of Hydrogen Energy of the Russian Federation and the Energy Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation.