Triple Helix Model of Innovation for Renewable Energy Development in a Developing Economy: A case of the Nigerian Power Sector

Clean energy for all countries has dominated global discussions, with more countries racing to provide sustainable energy to their citizens without compromising present and future socio-environmental security. Through collaborative efforts, research, innovation, and technology have become critical success factors for nations to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) by 2030. The Triple-helix model of innovation involving government, universities, and Industry collaboration for innovation in many fields has provided a framework for joint action to innovate and offer solutions to modern-day challenges. This study examines applying the Triple-Helix model (TH) to renewable energy development in Nigeria with the possibility of optimising innovation in the renewable energy sub-sector. While the Triple-Helix model has helped developed nations birth innovation, little evidence has been obtained from developing economies, especially Nigeria. This study examines the impact of institutional logic on adopting Triple-Helix for renewable energy development in Nigeria. The study used an exploratory qualitative research approach to establish these relationships and impacts. The study enlisted 15 respondents from universities and the government to gather insights on the nature of Triple-Helix in Nigeria and its potential for renewable energy development. The study suggests that to optimise the renewable energy sector deploying the TH model, there is a need to adapt the model to context-sensitive institutional elements to facilitate the interactions between crucial innovation actors and be innovative and contextual in developing a Triple-Helix model that works for Nigeria, particularly the renewable energy sector. It is hoped that this study provides the foundation for future studies on the interactions within the Triple-helix for other sectors in the Nigerian context.