Barriers to Breakthroughs: Navigating Renewable Energy Innovation, Uncertainty, and Economic Growth for Sustainable Development

ABSTRACT The transition to renewable energy is a cornerstone of sustainable development, yet it faces significant challenges. Key barriers include grid integration issues, technological immaturity, high initial costs, and policy and regulatory uncertainty. However, overcoming these hurdles offers substantial rewards, including new economic opportunities, lower energy costs, accelerated technological innovation, and more inclusive growth—ultimately paving the way for a sustainable future. Thus, this study investigates the impacts of energy policy uncertainty, economic policy uncertainty, ESG‐related uncertainty, financial market uncertainty, economic growth, corruption and socioeconomic conditions on renewable…