Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the global energy system and the shift progress to renewable energy: Opportunities, challenges, and policy implications

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 154; p. 112322
• Main Authors: Hoang, Anh Tuan, Sandro Nižetić, Olcer, Aykut I., Ong, Hwai Chyuan, Chen, Wei-Hsin, Chong, Cheng Tung, Thomas, Sabu, Bandh, Suhaib A., Nguyen, Xuan Phuong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Development policy; Development strategies; Energy development; Energy industry; Energy policy; Energy transition; Global energy; Infrastructure; Pandemics; Policy; Policy implications; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Renewable sources; Sustainability; Sustainable development; COVID-19; Renewable sources; Energy transition; Policy implications; Global energy
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777; 0301-4215
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112322

Being declared a global emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken many lives, threatened livelihoods and businesses around the world. The energy industry, in particular, has experienced tremendous pressure resulting from the pandemic. In response to such a challenge, the development of sustainable resources and renewable energy infrastructure has demonstrated its potential as a promising and effective strategy. To sufficiently address the effect of COVID-19 on renewable energy development strategies, short-term policy priorities should be identified, while mid-term and long-term action plans should be formulated in achieving the well-defined renewable energy targets and progress towards a more sustainable energy future. In this review, opportunities, challenges, and significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on current and future sustainable energy strategies were analyzed in detail; while drawing from experiences in identifying reasonable behaviors, orientating appropriate actions, and policy implications on the sustainable energy trajectory were also mentioned. Indeed, the question is that whether the COVID-19 pandemic will kill us or provide us with a precious lesson on future sustainable energy development. •Two-faced impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on global energy system were evaluated.•Opportunities and challenges of the shift progress to clean energy were analyzed.•Drawn lessons, strategies for the future, and policy implications were mentioned.