Comparative Evaluation of Hydrogen Energy Policy Frameworks in Spain and Türkiye: A Public Policy Perspective Using MCDM Methods

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key component of the low-carbon energy transition and has become an important element of national energy strategies worldwide. Despite the growing interest in hydrogen development, comparative evaluations of national hydrogen policy frameworks remain limited in the literature. This study provides a comparative assessment of hydrogen policies in Türkiye and Spain, two Mediterranean countries with significant renewable energy potential but different institutional contexts, as Spain is an EU member state while Türkiye is an EU candidate country. The comparison is analytically meaningful because, despite their similar renewable energy potential and geographical characteristics, Spain and Türkiye operate under different institutional and policy environments. Spain benefits from full integration into EU energy markets and funding mechanisms, whereas Türkiye faces different regulatory and market conditions as an EU candidate country. Examining these differences provides valuable insights into how institutional frameworks may influence hydrogen policy development and implementation. To achieve this objective, an integrated SWOT–AHP–TOPSIS framework was employed, combining qualitative policy assessment with quantitative multi-criteria decision-making analysis. The TOPSIS decision matrix was constructed using observable indicators and internationally recognized proxy variables obtained from publicly available datasets. The findings indicate that Spain demonstrates stronger overall hydrogen policy performance than Türkiye within the selected evaluation framework. The results also highlight the importance of economic competitiveness, regulatory support, technological development, and infrastructure capacity in shaping hydrogen policy outcomes. The study provides a comparative evaluation of hydrogen policy readiness through an integrated SWOT–AHP–TOPSIS framework and offers policy-relevant insights for countries pursuing hydrogen-based energy transitions.