A novel metathetical framework for renewable energy integration: A regional case study to meet Saudi’s 2030 Vision

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to source 50 % of its electricity from renewable energy (RE), posing significant planning and deployment challenges in a landscape historically dominated by fossil fuels. This study presents a structured, techno-economically optimized roadmap for RE integration across 30 candidate locations, employing hybrid system modeling and multi-criteria decision analysis. A two-tiered methodology was adopted: HOMER Pro simulations were used to assess the technical and financial feasibility of various solar PV and wind configurations, while a hierarchical decision-making framework—combining H-SWARA and MULTIMOORA—ranked sites based on economic, technical, and social criteria. The results identified three deployment phases (immediate, mid-term, and innovation/export-focused) tailored to infrastructure readiness, capacity potential, and long-term strategic value. High-priority sites such as Hael and Mawaqqah exhibited low LCOEs ( < 1.7 ¢/kWh) and strong grid connectivity, while later-phase sites aligned with hydrogen infrastructure and export ambitions. Beyond its national application, the proposed methodology offers a generalizable, replicable framework that can be adapted for phased RE planning in other countries. It contributes to the growing body of international knowledge on integrated RE planning by bridging the gap between techno-economic simulation and strategic rollout design. • A structured optimization framework supports national energy site selection. • The model links simulation outputs with decision analysis techniques. • Sites are ranked using economic, technical, and social performance criteria. • Phase 1 sites like Hael and Mawaqqah show consistently high index scores.