Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making model for nuclear power plant location selection using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy VIKOR methods focused on socio-economic factors

Abstract

In response to its position as the fourth most populous country globally, Indonesia is exploring constructing nuclear power plants (NPPs) as a sustainable energy solution. A pivotal step in this initiative is selecting an appropriate NPP site. This study employs two Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and Fuzzy VIKOR, to identify the most suitable location for an NPP, focusing on socio-economic factors. The Fuzzy-AHP method is utilized to prioritize ten sub-criteria: transmission network, operating costs, economic impact, security, transportation network, legal considerations, the impact of tourism, land ownership, historical sites, and public acceptance. Following this, the Fuzzy VIKOR method leverages these prioritized criteria to evaluate two potential sites: East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan. The analysis reveals that security, transmission, and transportation networks emerge as the top priorities. The application of the Fuzzy VIKOR algorithm identifies West Kalimantan as the optimal site for NPP construction, evidenced by its lower VIKOR index of 0.3599, indicating a higher overall preference based on the evaluated criteria. The study demonstrates that the integration of Fuzzy-AHP and Fuzzy VIKOR methods prioritizes critical socio-economic factors and quantitatively assesses potential sites, offering a systematic and objective approach to support decision-making in NPP site selection.