Navigating conflicts between niche and regime intermediaries in the energy transition

Abstract

There is an urgent need to decarbonize socio-technical systems for electricity. This urgency has led to the emergence of various types of intermediaries that bridge actors and their related resources, skills, and visions to catalyse change. While the roles intermediaries in energy transitions are well researched, their strategic positioning—particularly the conflicts they engage in, their navigation, and outcomes—remains underexplored. Addressing this research gap is crucial for transition governance, as it enables effective coordination among actors. Through an analysis of the electricity sector's transformation, we identify competing interests among intermediaries for resources, power, and legitimacy, as well as differences in visions and intermediation practices, as key sources of conflict. Navigating these conflicts requires adaptive strategic approaches, mutuality, and dynamic collaboration among intermediaries. This work contributes by introducing a conflict-sensitive perspective, providing insights into how intermediaries navigate conflicts to drive transitions forward.