What does this research mean for the field?

The expansion of non-conventional renewable energy in emerging economies is constrained primarily by institutional and financial misalignments rather than technological immaturity, necessitating coordinated governance and financial strategies. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study examines the factors that influence non-conventional renewable energy deployment in emerging economies, focusing on institutional and financial interactions.

May 30, 2026

Non-conventional renewable energies in emerging economies: challenges, strategic responses and pathways for energy sector management

Key Points

This study examines the factors that influence non-conventional renewable energy deployment in emerging economies, focusing on institutional and financial interactions.
Conducted a systematic literature review of Web of Science publications (2001–2025)
Utilized bibliometric mapping and qualitative thematic synthesis
Identified barriers, strategic responses, and potential transition pathways
The expansion of NCRE is constrained by institutional and financial misalignment rather than technology maturity.
Barriers include exchange-rate volatility, high capital costs, and regulatory fragmentation.
Emerging responses feature green-finance innovations and integrated energy business models, highlighting the need for coordinated institutional reform.

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to analyze the multidimensional factors shaping the deployment of non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) in emerging economies, focusing on how structural conditions, governance systems, financial mechanisms and technological pathways interact to influence transition outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of Web of Science publications (2001–2025) was conducted. This study combines bibliometric mapping, qualitative thematic synthesis and conceptual integration to identify cross-cutting patterns in barriers, strategic responses and forward-looking transition pathways. Findings NCREs expansion is constrained less by technology maturity than by institutional and financial misalignment. Exchange-rate volatility, high capital costs, regulatory fragmentation, infrastructural deficits and socio-behavioral barriers limit adoption, while environmental pressures add further complexity. At the same time, system-level responses are emerging, including green-finance innovation, renewable-energy auctions, institutional decision-support tools, digital governance and participatory mechanisms. Future transitions are characterized by hybrid multi-vector systems, hydrogen value chains, circular-economy integration, AI-enabled planning and platform-based energy business models. Research limitations/implications The review highlights the need for future studies on compound-risk modeling, institutional–financial co-evolution, AI-based system optimization and the integration of behavioral and climate-resilience factors into energy planning. Practical implications Effective transition strategies require coordinated institutional reform, regulatory stability, financial risk-mitigation tools and integrated infrastructure planning. Originality/value This study contributes by advancing an institutional–financial–technological alignment perspective. Rather than treating renewable-energy deployment as a purely technological diffusion process, it conceptualizes transition outcomes as the result of dynamic interactions between governance systems, financial structures and technological pathways in emerging economies.

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