## 4 Discussion and Conclusions  
In the scientific literature today, there are different, but also very similar, methodological approaches for choosing the optimal location for wind farms. This is indicated by the number of references listed in this study. The differences relate to the choice of criteria for evaluating potential locations and the number of methodological procedures that offer different options for making sound decisions. However, all these methodological approaches have in common that they are all based on the multi-criteria evaluation of potential locations. Bearing in mind the differences and similarities between the methodological approaches in the scientific literature, the specificity of this work can be seen in several aspects:  
* The choice of elimination and general evaluation criteria is defined on the basis of four components: 1. Analysis of a large number of scientific papers; 2. The authors' practical experience from participating in the development of many wind power projects in the Western Balkans, Europe (some of the projects are listed in Section 2 of the paper); 3. Adaptation of the criteria and value scale to local regulations for the specific examples used in the paper, as well as the specificity of each project, the physical/geographical characteristics of the locations and others; 4. The addition of evaluation criteria not present in other scientific articles on the theme of selecting wind farm locations, but whose significance is elaborated in scientific articles that deal with important issues related to wind farms in general, such as the social aspects of their impact (e.g., the local community's acceptance of the location, which is determined through the transparency of the procedure and the results of surveys). * The paper proposes a number of stages in the process of choosing optimal wind farm locations: 1. The elimination stage for unfavorable areas; 2. Multi-criteria evaluation of the candidate locations according to weight categories; and 3. The evaluation stage for candidate locations according to different scenarios. Carrying out these stages provides decision-makers with enough options based on which they can make sound decisions based on viewing the problem from different angles. The approach is also sufficiently flexible to include all actors in the process of selecting a location with regard to identifying the goals of using a certain space, adaptation to local regulations, and respecting the needs of both the local community and investors. * The authors tried to make the conceptualization and elaboration of the methodological approach very simple and understandable, and therefore easily applicable. They were guided by the idea that it should be possible to apply scientific knowledge and results in practice so that they can be used by a wide group of professionals who are not involved in science but rather in the development of wind power projects as professionals. In addition, the quality of the overall results depends on the information base about the space, that is, the spatial data, which is evident here. Therefore, in this study, the application of GIS proved to be a very important instrument, especially in the elimination stage of selecting a location and visualization of the results (Figure 1). In addition to being a support in the elimination stage, spatial data in GIS also provided excellent support in the evaluation of potential locations using the PROMETHEE method, since GIS offers precise inputs regarding the distance between a specific location and various spatial elements (criteria). In this way, the evaluation of the criteria according to a scale from one to five was objective and not arbitrary or subjective. It has been stated that the number and importance of the evaluation criteria can and should be adjusted to the specific circumstances in terms of respect for the spatial and physical/geographical characteristics, and in terms of local regulations, although this fact does not affect the very concept of the presented methodology.