Do Industrial Robots Accelerate the Renewable Energy Transition? Evidence From High Geopolitical Risk Countries

Industrial robot adoption can facilitate the renewable energy transition by improving production efficiency, lowering energy intensity, and fostering technological innovation. This study examines the role of industrial robot deployment in shaping renewable energy adoption in countries exposed to heightened geopolitical risks. Using a balanced panel of eight economies, China, Italy, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, India, and Turkey, over the period 2011–2023, the analysis employs a gamma log‑link Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to account for the positive and right‑skewed distribution of renewable energy shares. The empirical results show that industrial robot density, labor participation, and research and development (R&D) expenditure have positive and statistically significant effects on renewable energy adoption. In contrast, geopolitical risk, carbon intensity, and real GDP per capita constrain the expansion of renewable energy, indicating persistent structural and institutional barriers. Overall, the findings suggest that technological upgrading through automation can support the energy transition even under adverse conditions, but only when accompanied by complementary innovation‑driven and risk‑mitigation policies.