Application of geo-spatial Analytical Hierarchy Process and multi-criteria analysis for site suitability of the desalination solar stations in Egypt

Abstract

Water is the most crucial inputs for sustainable development. Water shortage is the primary current and future world issue. Egypt is facing a severe water crisis dilemma in recent years. The rapid population growth and economic development in Egypt lead to increasing pollution and environmental degradation of water quality, availability, and accessibility. Climate change could worsen the crisis. Water desalination using solar cells was considered an optimal solution to water shortage as Egypt is located in the arid climate zone with a high rate of the sun shining hours nearly all year. The objective of this paper was to highlight the suitable areas for the installation of future solar desalination stations in Egypt as a necessity to sustain water resource management. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) techniques were the main tools to map suitable sites for the installation of solar desalination cells. The suitability was ranked in five categories starting from very high to very low suitability. Results showed that approximately 10.9% (106,424.87 km2) of the area is classified as very high suitability, 13.7% (134,412.7 km2) high, 17% (166,146.36 km2) moderate, 40.2% (393,351.96 km2) low and 18.2% (178,558.48 km2) as very low for installing desalination stations. These results suggested promoting the use of solar energy in the construction of solar water desalination projects as a strategic option to cope with future estimates of water shortage in Egypt.