Developing a conceptual partner selection framework for matching public–private partnerships of rural energy internet project using an integrated fuzzy AHP approach for rural revitalization in China

The development of rural clean energy is the key to cope with the shortage of traditional energy supply in the rural revitalization strategy and improve the sustainability of rural energy supply. Under the background of digital age, the development and utilization of rural clean energy Internet has become the focus of rural economic development. The government partners of the Rural clean Energy Internet PPP project (RCEIPPPP) are the key to promoting the green and intelligent development of rural energy. In this paper, the index system of project partner selection is constructed, and the problem of government partner selection for RCEIPPPP is studied by AHP and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The results of this study are as follows: 1) Partners' financial ability, technical ability, management ability, performance experience, corporate reputation, cooperation ability and risk management are the influencing factors for government partner selection of rural clean energy Internet PPP projects (RCEIPPPPs); 2) Compared with other factors, financial ability, technical ability, management ability and performance experience are the four key factors that are more important in choosing partners; 3) The empirical research shows that AHP, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and the index system constructed by this research can be applied to the practice of government partner selection for RCEIPPPPs. This study puts forward the evaluation system of government cooperation selection of energy Internet PPP projects from the theoretical level, improves the existing research methods, and makes the theoretical system in this field more complete. From the practical level, it provides scientific basis and suggestions for the government to make decisions on energy Internet PPP projects, and improves the engineering efficiency and quality of rural clean energy Internet construction. This study demonstrates the complexity of clean energy projects, the need for an integrated approach to decision-making, and the need for project managers to actively manage communication and collaboration with partners to ensure successful project implementation.