From Chain to Change: Blockchain as a Catalyst for SDG 7

Achieving SDG 7 (Sustainable Development Goal 7)—ensuring universal access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy—requires technological innovations that can address technical, economic, and social challenges. Blockchain technology, with its inherent transparency, decentralization, and traceability, is emerging as a potential catalyst for accelerating this transition. This paper examines the main blockchain applications in the energy sector that support SDG 7, including solutions for decentralized grid management, renewable energy tracking, peer-to-peer energy trading, and innovative financing and incentive mechanisms. This research also investigates a set of case studies from diverse geographical and regulatory contexts, aiming to assess the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of ongoing initiatives. The academic implications of this paper lie in advancing the theoretical debate on integrating decentralized technologies into energy systems. Managerial and policy implications relate to strategies, business models, and regulations that enable the adoption of blockchain solutions consistent with global sustainability goals.