Assessing factors and resilience strategies for sustainable energy transition in Saudi Arabia: An integrated SWOT-TOWS analysis and decision-making framework

The transition to renewable energy is a key priority for Saudi Arabia under its Vision 2030 agenda and sustainable development goals. This study applies a SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to renewable energy adoption. Later, a TOWS matrix is used to formulate resilience strategies by aligning internal factors with external challenges and opportunities to enhance energy security and sustainability. In this regard, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method is employed to evaluate the SWOT factors and sub-factors that drive and hinder the adoption of sustainable energy transition in Saudi Arabia. While the Fuzzy VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (FVIKOR) method is used to prioritize the significant TOWS resilience strategies for sustainable energy transition. The findings of FAHP indicate that strengths (S) is the most critical factor from SWOT category, followed by threats (T), opportunities (O), and weaknesses (W). The findings of SWOT sub-factors from each main category using FAHP further show that key strengths include abundant renewable energy resources and advancing energy infrastructure, while weaknesses such as regulatory challenges and social resistance hinder progress. Opportunities arise from international collaborations and alignment with Vision 2030 whereas threats include policy inconsistencies, geopolitical risks, and technological risks. The FVIKOR results through TOWS resilience strategies indicated that developing renewable energy infrastructure (SO1) is the most crucial strategy, followed by utilizing solar and wind resources (SO2), and increasing local manufacturing of renewable technologies (WO1). The findings serve as a roadmap for policymakers, governments, and stakeholders aiming to develop energy solutions for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia.