A Multi-Criteria Suitability Analysis for Data Center Site Selection in Central Anatolia: A Geological, Hydrological, Climatic and Energy Infrastructure-Based Assessment

Abstract

The channelling of data center investments toward inland, relatively less industrialized regions of Türkiye such as Central Anatolia is frequently debated in public discourse alongside the question of whether such regions can actually produce technological innovation. This study aims to move that debate away from subjective judgement and place it on a quantitative footing. Building on the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach used for data center site selection in the international literature, three main criteria layers are defined: geological risk (seismic hazard and karstic collapse/sinkhole occurrence), climatic and hydrological suitability (wet-bulb temperature, water stress, wastewater reclamation capacity), and energy/connectivity infrastructure (transmission line capacity, substation density, fiber optic backbone access). A weighted suitability score is applied to compare the provinces of Ankara, Kayseri, Konya, Sivas, Niğde and Aksaray. Findings show that Ankara and Kayseri attain the highest composite suitability scores among the six provinces assessed.