In this paper a new method based on multi-objective modified Honey Bee Mating Optimization (MHBMO) algorithm is presented to investigate the DFR problem with the consideration effect of the renewable energy sources (RESs). In the proposed algorithm, a new mating process is suggested to overcome the shortcomings which exist in the original HBMO. During the optimization process, the proposed algorithm finds a set of non-dominated (Pareto) optimal solutions which are stored in an external memory called repository. Also a fuzzy clustering technique is utilized to handle the size of the repository in the specified limits. Moreover, a fuzzy-based decision maker is adopted to select the 'best compromised' solution among the non-dominated optimal solutions of multi-objective optimization problem. In order to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, two standard distribution systems are used as case studies. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.