Effective energy system management is essential to ensuring long-run energy security, competitiveness, and sustainability. This study conducts a comparative content analysis of upstream energy policy documents from selected developed economies—Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, France, and Norway—and developing economies including China, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Qatar, the UAE, Indonesia, Cyprus, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Using qualitative content analysis through MAXQDA , the study systematically codes and compares strategic orientations related to energy efficiency, institutional integration, and renewable energy transition. The results reveal that selected developed countries demonstrate greater policy coherence, binding targets, and strong institutional coordination, enabling them to achieve more successful transitions toward renewable and low-carbon systems. In contrast, selected developing countries, while possessing multiple strategic plans, face barriers such as fossil fuel dependency, financial and technological constraints, and fragmented governance.
In the case of Iran, despite the presence of numerous upstream energy documents, the absence of a unified national strategy, weak coordination among institutions, and persistent subsidy regimes have limited progress toward diversification and efficiency. The findings highlight that integrated policymaking, enhanced institutional capacity, promotion of renewable energy, and transparent monitoring mechanisms are vital for a sustainable transition. For Iran and similar economies, the priority should be to develop a comprehensive national energy strategy within an integrated governance framework that ensures accountability, verifiability, and performance-based evaluation. Structural reforms, demand-side management, and active public participation can further enhance efficiency and trust. Such an approach, informed by successful international experiences, can guide energy system reform toward greater sustainability, competitiveness, and transparency.