A comprehensive assessment method for the development level of power transition and its application under different regional development measures: a study based on Entropy Weight TOPSIS

To accurately assess the transformation process of China’s power sector, this study addresses the limitations of existing literature, which primarily focuses on macro-level or single-dimensional evaluations while neglecting regional disparities. This study constructs a power transition development index based on four dimensions: clean, low carbon, security, and efficiency. By integrating the Entropy Weight Method with the TOPSIS model, it quantitatively evaluates and compares the power transition development levels of 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2022. This reveals their spatiotemporal characteristics and regional disparities, providing a reference for formulating regional energy policies. Results indicate: (1) The security and clean dimensions collectively account for 72.1% of the total weighting, forming the core pillars of power transition. (2) The synthesis transition scores of 30 provinces range from 0.155 (Anhui) to 0.505 (Sichuan), revealing a spatial pattern where resource-rich western regions lead, while central provinces reliant on energy imports and traditional industrial provinces face greater transition pressures. (3) Provincial power transition capabilities steadily improved during the study period, with the synthesis score rising from 0.213 to 0.295—a 38.5% increase—though significant inter-provincial ranking disparities persist. This research proposes policy recommendations to advance China’s regional power transition, including strengthening policy coordination, promoting differentiated transition pathways, and accelerating technological innovation. These measures will help provinces more effectively implement emission reduction targets.