Identifying the researchable themes in seventh sustainable development goal: affordable and clean energy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present a bibliometric analysis of affordable and clean energy research, focusing on key themes, collaboration patterns and the field’s intellectual structure. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 37 articles from Scopus, the authors identified the most frequently used keywords, the most productive countries and organizations and categorized research themes into niche, motor, basic and emerging or declining themes. “Clean Energy,” “Renewable Energy” and “Affordable and Clean Energy” emerged as dominant keywords, highlighting the field’s alignment with global sustainability goals. The USA, China and India were found to be the most productive countries, while institutions like Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College and Nigerian National Petroleum Company played pivotal roles in collaborative networks, reflecting a globalized and interdisciplinary research environment. Findings The thematic analysis revealed that motor themes, such as “Climate Change” and “Greenhouse Gases”, are central to the discourse, while topics like “Economic Development” and “Energy Conservation” were identified as niche areas. Basic themes, including “Carbon Dioxide” and “Electricity Industry,” remain foundational yet underdeveloped. Originality/value This study provides a structured overview of the affordable and clean energy research landscape, offering insights into current trends and identifying areas for future exploration, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and socio-economic impacts.