Navigating solar energy transitions in oil-rich countries: A network-based study of collaborative governance in Iran

Increased energy demand, global warming, and the economic ramifications of fossil fuel consumption have propelled governments toward achieving net-zero emission targets. In this context, renewable energy (RE) development is paramount, particularly in oil-rich nations within the Middle East and North Africa region. This research focuses on Iran, examining collaborative governance as a pivotal driver in the transition to solar energy (SE). The energy transition is an inherently complex and multifaceted process, fraught with numerous challenges, necessitating effective stakeholder collaboration. This study employs two-mode social network analysis (SNA) to analyze the structure of collaborative governance in Iran's SE transition and to link existing obstacles to relevant stakeholders. Data were meticulously gathered through a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews, expert surveys, and document analysis. The resulting network comprises 39 stakeholders across 11 categories, 16 key barriers within 5 classifications, and 92 interconnections among them. Furthermore, 12 fundamental challenges to collaborative governance were identified, indicative of institutional weaknesses and policy-level inconsistencies. Utilizing interactive models—specifically, challenge–stakeholder and challenge–barrier models—the role of each stakeholder in addressing challenges and their impact on existing barriers was thoroughly investigated. Findings reveal challenges such as power imbalance, lack of cooperation, fragmented rules and regulations across levels of governance, lack of coordination and institutional alignment, and the impact of administrative corruption on resource allocation in the SE transition. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions that strengthen collaborative governance and facilitate a more effective transition to SE in Iran.