A Multicriteria Decision Aid approach for energy planning problems: The case of renewable energy option

In the past, the choice among alternative energy policies at regional level was based only on cost minimization. Lately, it is widely recognized that regional energy planning forms a multi-actor and multicriteria problem. This is particularly true in the case of power generation in regions presenting high rates of increase in electricity demand, together with a significant potential of renewable energy sources, since several and often conflicting points of view must be taken into account. In this paper, the contribution of a Multicriteria Decision Aid method – namely ELECTRE III – in addressing such problems is investigated through the examination of a particular case study in a Greek island. Through the presentation of the procedure followed (identification of actors, selection of criteria, formulation of alternative strategies, application of the specific method and analysis of results and actors' reactions), an effort is made to highlight those aspects that are crucial in reaching a compromise in regional energy planning problems.