What is state capacity and how does it matter for energy transition?

Abstract

The existing concepts of energy democracy and energy justice leaves little or no room for a comprehensive discussion on state capacity that is vital for a successful energy transition policy making. The paper addresses this knowledge gap by conducting the review of the highly relevant literature on state capacity to identify conceptual variations, components and factors shaping the state capacity for effective policy making. I further devise a novel conceptual framework by linking the concept of state capacity with the energy transition policy and highlight vital factors affecting state capacity that in turn enables states for an effective energy transition policy making. The integrated framework of state capacity and energy transition governance will inform the ongoing efforts on localizing energy transition.