Smart Energy Siting to Guide Renewable Energy Transition

The rapid expansion of renewable energy demands strategic planning to ensure environmentally and socially responsible vision that reduces conflicts and facilitates the deployment of low carbon energy. Here we advance a methodology for energy planning through the spatial prioritization of barren lands and brownfields for photovoltaic and wind power development, demonstrated via a case study in Macedonia. The study incorporates environmental constraints (e.g., slope, protected areas, biodiversity), technical factors (e.g., solar irradiation, wind speed, proximity to grid and roads), and socio-economic indicators (e.g., available workforce, settlement proximity), utilizing a multi-criteria decision analysis framework integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). GIS mapping tools were used to evaluate multiple scenarios over 450,000 hectares of land, generating high-resolution suitability maps. A questionnaire was administered to 93 stakeholders from public institutions, the private sector, and academia to determine AHP weighting. The integration of national cadaster data with ecosystem classifications further validated the spatial accuracy and credibility of the analysis. The results reveal substantial land areas suitable for photovoltaic (up to 50 GW) and wind (up to 457 MW) installations, even under strict environmental constraints. Sensitivity analyses underscore the spatial and technical trade-offs when additional exclusions such as Important Bird Areas and Important Plant Areas are considered. This framework offers a replicable and transparent approach for governments seeking to balance energy security, land use efficiency, and ecological preservation. The case study illustrates how data-driven, participatory planning tools can guide equitable and sustainable renewable energy expansion aligned with national energy and climate goals.