Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in planning the future energy systems of developing countries using an integrated MCDM approach in the off-grid areas of Bangladesh

The COVID-19 epidemic is impeding energy development in developing countries and exacerbating the problems associated with energy planning in off-grid locations. To address such complicated decision-making issues and consider scenarios during this long-lasting pandemic, this study proposes a novel integrated MCDM (Multi-Criteria Decision Making) approach using the Delphi based FO-BWM (Fuzzy Optimistic Best-Worst Method), IDOCRIW (Integrated Determination of Objective Criteria Weights) and the Aggregated Weighting Method integrated with the CoCoSo method under different normalization methods based on a case study of the off-grid areas in Bangladesh. The results of Delphi analysis showed that a total of five criteria were agreed upon by the expert panel. After integrating 5 normalization methods with CoCoSo and using three weighting methods separately, a total of 15 MCDM models were constructed. Finally, the 8 sorted MCDM models demonstrate that Solar Home System (SHS) and Mini-Grid systems need to be prioritized, and the criterion Opportunity of Local Funding (OLF) is essential for choosing between SHS and Mini-Grid systems. Sensitivity analysis showed that the proposed method is effective for easing the dilemmas of energy planning in off-grid areas and provides useful insight to address the impacts of future pandemics on energy planning.