Selecting a sustainable heat energy supply system for high-altitude

cold climatic communities in developing countries is essential for both decision-makers and the scientific community. However

no comprehensive guide or framework exists to address this issue and decarbonize cold communities sustainably. This research aims to fill that gap by identifying and developing a methodology for selecting a suitable heat energy supply system

using Kyrgyzstan as a case study. The approach takes into account renewable energy sources

local conditions

and specific criteria necessary for designing a sustainable energy supply. The paper introduces a decision-making framework based on 17 criteria

covering geographical

environmental

economic

technical

and social aspects

derived from the opinions of over 20 experts. This framework serves as a guide for selecting and designing an appropriate heat energy supply system. Five heat supply options are analysed in Kyrgyzstan’s high-altitude

cold rural setting to demonstrate the framework’s potential. The analysis reveals that centralized district heating is the most suitable solution

scoring 79% for system selection. This methodology is partially or fully transferable to regions or countries with similar climates and local circumstances

offering a valuable resource for the development of sustainable heat energy solutions in cold

high-altitude communities.