Renewable energy, Public–Private partnership investment, technological innovation and trade in Malaysia: Examining the economic growth threshold

Citation

Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi and Yadav, Ashutosh and Agozie, Divine Q. and Asongu, Simplice A. (2026) Renewable energy, Public–Private partnership investment, technological innovation and trade in Malaysia: Examining the economic growth threshold. Renewable Energy, 259. p. 125160. ISSN 09601481

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Abstract

Achieving environmental sustainability is a global priority, requiring economies to adopt innovative strategies for renewable energy transition. This study examines the nonlinear economic determinants of Malaysia's renewable energy adoption, addressing a critical gap in understanding how investment, technology, and trade openness influence energy transition across different economic regimes. Using quarterly data (1990–2022), we employ Smooth Transition Regression (STR) and Threshold Regression Model (TRM) to capture regimedependent effects of foreign direct investment (FDI), public-private partnerships (PPPE), technological innova tion (ICT), economic growth (GDP), and trade openness (TRD). The results confirm that FDI and PPPE signifi cantly drive renewable energy adoption, but their impact varies across economic thresholds. While ICT enhances energy efficiency, its influence is nonlinear, strengthening at higher economic levels. The study also supports the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, showing that GDP initially hinders but later accelerates renewable energy adoption. However, TRD negatively impacts renewable energy expansion, suggesting that Malaysia's current trade structure reinforces fossil fuel dependence. By integrating nonlinear modelling ap proaches, this study provides new empirical evidence on the threshold-driven nature of energy transition, of fering policy insights for optimizing investment strategies, technology diffusion, and trade reforms to accelerate Malaysia's clean energy future.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Technological innovation
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28-70 Management. Industrial Management > HD30.2 Electronic data processing. Information technology. Including artificial intelligence and knowledge management
Divisions: Faculty of Management (FOM)
Depositing User: Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2026 01:39
Last Modified: 11 Feb 2026 01:39
URII: http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/15338

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