Title: A multicriteria analysis of the environmental dimension associated with hydropower in Parana State, Brazil

Authors: Andrea De Souza; Christian Luiz Da Silva; Alain Hernández Santoyo; Weimar Freire Da Rocha Junior

Addresses: Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) Campus Curitiba., Av. Sete de Setembro, 3165 – Rebouças, Curitiba – PR, 80230-901, Brazil ORCID: 0000-0001-8915-0942 ORCID 0000-0002-9365-6257 ' Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) Campus Curitiba., Av. Sete de Setembro, 3165 – Rebouças, Curitiba – PR, 80230-901, Brazil ORCID: 0000-0001-8915-0942 ORCID 0000-0002-9365-6257 ' Postgraduate Program in Economics (PPGEconomia), Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Campus Varginha (ICSA), Av. Celina Ferreira Ottoni, 4000 – Padre Vitor, Varginha – MG, 37048-395, Brazil ORCID: 0000-0003-2766-7019 ' Postgraduate Program on Regional Development and Agribusiness (PGDRA), State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), Campus Toledo, Rua da Faculdade, 645, Jd. Santa Maria, Toledo, Paraná, 85.903-000, Brazil ORCID: 0000-0002-3108-6690

Abstract: The aim of this study was to structure a multicriteria decision matrix for supporting decision-making process in new hydropower ventures. Methodological proceedings were used combining a Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and aggregation procedures. As a result, the variables relevant regarding possible investments in hydroelectric power were defined, especially when comparing hydroelectric plants and small hydroelectric plants. In this paper, the analysis concentrates on the variables of the environmental dimension of energy that may or may not impact decisions on such investments. Local energy safety was identified as one of the main critical factors that could influence decisions to increase electricity supplies through hydroelectric plants. As a contribution to the field, this tool enables an understanding of the relevant variables and respective weights in the decisionmaking process to help managers in the electricity sector of Parana State draft more realistic public policies to meet the actual needs of the state.

Keywords: multi-criteria decision matrix; Delphi method; AHP; analytic hierarchy process; hydropower; environmental impacts; energy safety; environmental policy; environmental quality; energy planning; risks of supplying energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2020.113649

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2020 Vol.10 No.1, pp.52 - 65

Received: 16 Jul 2020
Accepted: 18 Jul 2020
Published online: 15 Mar 2021 *

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