Publications from Zeesa

This report explores the ongoing energy transition in Longyearbyen and examines what makes new energy technologies perceived as legitimate in the Arctic context. It is based on the author’s master’s thesis From Coal to Complexity: The Dynamics of Technology Legitimacy in the Longyearbyen Energy Transition (University of Oslo, 2025), conducted in collaboration with CICERO’s research project Zero-Emission Energy Systems for the Arctic (ZEESA). After more than a century of coal-based power, Longyearbyen is shifting toward a hybrid energy system. The report analyses how different technologies gain or lose legitimacy through policy support, social acceptance, and practical performance, and how legitimacy is transferred or blocked between technologies in this small, off-grid system. Findings show that technological change in Longyearbyen is closely tied to issues of energy security, regulation, and identity. New solutions must balance reliability with sustainability and fit within strict environmental laws and local values. Understanding legitimacy as a dynamic and relational process is crucial for designing credible transition pathways in fragile Arctic settings. Lessons from Longyearbyen can inform broader efforts to ensure that future energy systems are not only low-carbon but also locally trusted, context-appropriate, and resilient. Read the full report here