Identifying the Most Suitable Locations for Wind Energy Farms for Achieving SDG 7 Goals in Northern Cyprus

The importance of renewable energy supplies has grown over the past few decades as a result of environmental pollution issues. One of the most prominent alternative energy sources is wind energy. Additionally, the New European Wind Atlas and Global Wind Atlas can be used as alternatives to measure wind resources in places where measured data are unavailable or the number of stations is restricted. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to find suitable sites in Northern Cyprus where wind farms can be established, with the ultimate goal being to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). The average wind speed and wind energy density as well as the distribution of wind turbine classes in the maps of North Cyprus are analyzed. The results demonstrated that the most potential areas for the building of wind farms in the future are Legend of the Five Fingers (Kyrenia Mountains) and the area that includes Noughpuring Vasilia, Kampyli, Palaisofos, and Sysklipos. The maximum wind power density is highest in these places, indicating their exceptional potential for wind energy generation.