Governance, Energy Policy, and Sustainable Development: Renewable Energy Infrastructure Transition in Developing MENA Countries

Michail Michailidis (), Eleni Zafeiriou (), Apostolos Kantartzis, Spyridon Galatsidas and Garyfallos Arabatzis
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Michail Michailidis: Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Eleni Zafeiriou: Department of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Apostolos Kantartzis: Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Spyridon Galatsidas: Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Garyfallos Arabatzis: Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-45

Abstract: This study provides a comparative analysis of the environmental and economic performance of Oman, Egypt, and Morocco, focusing on the critical interplay between their economic structures, governance frameworks, and energy policies. Morocco stands out as a regional leader in renewable energy, driven by significant investments in solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects, positioning itself as a model for clean energy transition. Egypt, despite its rapid industrialization and urbanization, faces mounting environmental pressures that challenge its economic diversification efforts. Oman, heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, confronts significant sustainability risks due to its reliance on fossil fuels, despite the political stability that could support renewable integration. The research underscores that while these nations share common challenges, including regulatory weaknesses and energy policy inconsistencies, their distinct economic contexts demand tailored approaches. Morocco’s path to energy leadership must focus on integrating renewables across all sectors, enhancing grid infrastructure, and expanding green technology innovations to maintain momentum. Egypt should prioritize scaling up renewable infrastructure, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and investing in clean technology to address its carbon footprint. For Oman, the strategic diversification of its economy, combined with aggressive renewable energy integration, is critical to reducing CO 2 emissions and mitigating climate impacts. This study contributes novel insights by highlighting the role of political stability, institutional quality, and policy coherence as critical enablers of long-term sustainability. It also identifies the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing to overcome shared challenges like data limitations, geopolitical complexities, and methodological gaps in sustainability assessments. The findings advocate for a multi-method approach, integrating economic modeling, life-cycle analysis, and policy evaluation, to guide future sustainability efforts and foster resilient, low-carbon economies in the MENA region.

Keywords: renewable energy; economic growth; political stability; regulatory quality; MENA countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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