A SWOT-AHP Analysis of Renewable Energy Development Strategies in Iran

A SWOT-AHP model is employed to investigate the strategies of the renewable energy development and the management solutions in Iran. The governing factors were assessed and evaluated in four weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) groups. In addition, the negative and positive effects of internal and external factors were analyzed to bring out management strategies to develop the renewable energies. These strategies might be helpful in the protection of the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Subsequently, the strategies were divided based on the most critical priorities by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model. The external matrix with the total score of 4.199 identified as the most critical opportunity factor of the renewable energy potentials in Iran. In addition, the results of the internal matrix with the total score of 4.866 were recognized as the main strength for therenewable energies development to generate electricity to reduce environmental pollution. According to the results, most important strategies included: increasing guaranteed electricity purchase tariffs (GEPTs) of renewable energies, establishment of the renewable energy fund and supply financial resources through shaping a competitive market for investors and suppliers and also increase financial security and electricity exporting, establishing and developing the infrastructures such as research, training, testing, certificating and standardizing centers of the renewable energy systems, and improving guaranteed electricity purchase contracts of renewable energies to encourage investors.