Assessment of the Spatial Potential of the Pljevlja Municipality (Montenegro) for the Construction of Solar Power Plants Using GIS and the BWM Method

This paper investigates the assessment and mapping of the spatial potential of the Pljevlja Municipality for the construction of photovoltaic solar power plants. This is of particular environmental and economic importance for this area, as it has traditionally always relied on coal exploitation. The methodological approach is based on the integration of GIS and multi-criteria analysis through the application of the Best–Worst Method. Key physical geographic and infrastructural criteria were considered: aspect and terrain slope, land use, distance from primary roads, settlements, and major watercourses. Environmentally sensitive and technically unsuitable areas, covering 33.7% of the municipality, were excluded from the analysis, while 47.7% of the territory was classified as low suitability. The results of the synthesis suitability map indicate that the Pljevlja Municipality possesses significant spatial resources for the development of solar power facilities. Specifically, areas with moderate suitability account for 17.4% of the territory, while zones with the optimal highest suitability cover 1.2%. Although the most favourable conditions occur across a relatively small part of the municipality, these areas represent strategically significant zones for photovoltaic development. The combination of high solar irradiation, flat terrain, and proximity to existing road infrastructure reduces overall investment costs. The obtained results and the generated GIS model provide a useful preliminary basis for local governments, spatial planners, and potential investors, enabling informed decision-making in the process of sustainable energy development and the diversification of the energy sector of the Municipality of Pljevlja.