Optimal Selection of Sustainable Energy Mix to Achieve Energy Security in Italy: A Fuzzy SWOT Approach

The ever-increasing global warming around the world are subjecting the countries to transition towards cleaner technologies. In the energy sector, the countries are moving towards the adoption of renewable energy resources. However, becoming fully dependent on the use of renewable energy resources is still a challenge due to several technological, socio-political, economic and environmental aspects. These challenges have become even more evident due to problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. The European Union (EU), particularly Italy has suffered considerably because the country was highly dependent on the import of natural gas from Russia to meet its energy demands. Therefore, to tackle this challenge and achieve energy security in Italy in a more sustainable manner, this research aims to select the most optimal mix of energy among the existing technologies in the country. For this purpose, the study uses a strategic decision-making tool known as fuzzy SWOT approach to evaluate seven energy technologies based on a set of 13 sustainability factors. The fuzzy set theory has been employed to address the possibility of uncertainty during the decision-making process. The technologies that possess the most strengths and opportunities would be considered the most suitable for its adoption, whereas the ones facing weaknesses and threats in the country would be avoided.