Renewable energy adoption and green innovation in Oman: a bibliometric and predictive analysis of energy economics

Abstract

Purpose – This study explores renewable energy research in Oman, focusing on growth, trends and economic impacts and identifies key contributors, emerging themes and economic ties influencing development. Design/methodology/approach – A bibliometric analysis of 204 studies was conducted to evaluate collaboration networks, citation trends and research performance. Additionally, a vector autoregression (VAR) model was used to examine the associations between economic variables such as economic growth, foreign direct investment and energy consumption. Findings – The findings indicate a consistent increase in research on renewable energy, with publications increasing by 6.3% annually from 2020. Keyword and trend analyses highlight a growing emphasis on regulatory frameworks, with terms such as “law” emerging. A keyword network analysis revealed that renewable energy research in Oman is significantly influenced by regional economic and environmental factors. The VAR model further supports the role of renewable energy in Oman’s economic growth, showing strong correlations between energy consumption, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic expansion. Research limitations/implications – The study's data were limited by secondary databases and VAR analysis, suggesting the need for larger datasets and advanced modelling techniques for more accurate results. Originality/value – This study explores renewable energy research and its economic impact in Oman, providing insights for researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders on sustainable energy transitions and economic growth. It uniquely combines bibliometric and VAR analyses for a country-specific assessment, quantifying interrelationships between energy consumption, investment and economic output. The findings offer a replicable framework for emerging economies, delivering long-term guidance for policy, investment and sustainable energy planning internationally.