Generation expansion planning for high-potential hydropower resources: The case of the sulawesi electricity system

To ensure sustainable development for Sulawesi Island, which has significant hydropower potential, generation expansion planning (GEP) should meet the forecast electricity demand. GEP has determined the type and capacity of generating units necessary to minimize the total cost and provide the required reserve margin and energy balance. This study used GEP with WASP-IV software to minimize costs by considering the high hydropower potential of various Sulawesi electricity regions. Regional-balanced and resources-based approaches were employed to determine the generation candidates. The resources-based approach considered all the hydropower resources in Sulawesi Island and prioritized installation of hydropower generating units close to resource locations, while the regional-balanced one considered the installation of flexible generating units close to load centers. The results showed that the resources-based approach could achieve up to 30 renewable energy in the energy mix, with total costs for the regional-balanced one being 9.83 billion for low demand and 13.57 billion for high demand; however, the resources-based scenario costs would be 9.54 billion for low demand and 13.38 billion for high demand. © 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.