Site selection for offshore wind energy power plants in the gulf of bandirma

The wind energy sector in Turkey has experienced rapid growth in recent years. By 2016, the country's increase in installed wind capacity positioned it among the top three in Europe and seventh globally. Turkey possesses substantial wind energy potential, both onshore and offshore, distributed across various regions. Its geographical location and favorable climatic conditions provide a strategic advantage compared to many other countries. Wind energy, as a renewable and environmentally friendly resource, contributes significantly to reducing Turkey's reliance on imported fossil fuels. Over the past two decades, its adoption has expanded considerably, underscoring the strategic importance of this energy source. In this study, the wind energy potential in the onshore and offshore areas of Bandırma and its surroundings was evaluated using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation and the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. An installed capacity of approximately 120 MW with 20 turbines is projected in the areas identified in Bandırma Bay. These results demonstrate the region's suitability for offshore wind energy. Additionally, Turkey's installed wind capacity is compared with that of leading countries worldwide, analyzing operational, under-construction, and licensed projects. As a result of the techno-economic analyses, the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for the project is calculated as €86.07/MWh, which is highly competitive within the international cost ranges for offshore wind energy projects (€76.92 – €102.56/MWh). The feasible capacity of 120 MW obtained provides a direct contribution to Turkey's 5 GW offshore Wind Power Plant target for 2035. These findings support Turkey's potential to strengthen its energy supply security and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.