Technical and Social Drivers of Renewable Energy Adoption: An Environmental Engineering Comparison of Andalusia (Spain) and Rize (Turkey)

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative assessment of renewable energy potential, utilisation, and socio-cultural adoption in two climatically and territorially contrasting regions: Andalusia (Spain) and Rize (Turkey). Andalusia exhibits high solar irradiance and a diversified renewable energy mix dominated by solar photovoltaic and wind power, while Rize relies almost entirely on hydropower, which already covers or exceeds regional electricity demand. Using regional reports and institutional statistics, we quantify installed capacity, annual generation, and technical potential for solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, and identify the resulting “usage gap” between potential and deployment. To integrate technical performance with social and territorial constraints, we introduce a Socio-Cultural Renewable Adoption Index (SCRAI), based on four components: utilisation of technical potential, renewable share in demand, social acceptance, and practical compatibility. Results classify Rize as a saturated hydropower region with limited expansion prospects, and Andalusia as a rising solar–wind region with substantial untapped potential. The framework offers a transferable tool for multi-criteria regional energy planning.