Quantifying National Energy Policy Performance for SDG 7: Evidence from Türkiye Using a SWARA–TOPSIS Approach (2014–2023)

Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Evaluating the effectiveness of national energy policies in achieving this goal requires comprehensive and quantitative assessment frameworks. Countries’ performance toward SDG 7 is influenced by various structural factors, including energy demand growth, dependency on energy imports, renewable energy potential, and policy priorities. Therefore, systematic performance evaluation is essential for understanding policy effectiveness and identifying areas requiring improvement. This study evaluates Türkiye’s SDG 7 energy policy performance on a yearly basis over the period 2014–2023. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework combining the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods is employed to quantify and compare performance across years. The proposed approach allows for the determination of indicator weights and the ranking of yearly performance levels based on multiple energy sustainability criteria. The results reveal an overall upward trend in Türkiye’s SDG 7 performance during the study period, although notable fluctuations are observed. A significant decline occurs in 2017, followed by a rapid recovery in subsequent years. Another temporary downturn is identified in 2021, while a remarkable improvement emerges in 2023. A sensitivity analysis based on multiple weighting scenarios was also conducted to examine the robustness of the obtained rankings, and the results confirm the stability of the overall ranking structure, with 2023 consistently maintaining the top position across most scenarios. These findings provide insights into how policy measures, market dynamics, and energy system developments influence the country’s progress toward sustainable energy goals. By incorporating a time-based evaluation framework, this study contributes to the SDG 7 literature by offering a quantitative and policy-oriented assessment of national energy performance. The proposed framework also provides a practical analytical tool for policymakers and energy regulators to monitor progress, identify vulnerable areas, and support evidence-based decision-making in the transition toward sustainable and clean energy systems.