Abstract
<jats:p>The long-term goal of achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050 is widely recognized (Anfinson et al., 2023). However, social, organizational, and governance barriers hinder the implementation process and the achievement of the long-term energy transition goal in multi-stakeholder collaborations (MSCs) (De Winkel et al., 2025; Van Kranenburg & Witjes, 2024). This dissertation aims to gain insights into the energy transition literature by examining how MSCs contribute to the achievement of long-term energy transition goals, thereby illuminating the social, organizational, and governance facets of the implementation process. The research question is: How do multi-stakeholder collaborations contribute to the implementation of long-term energy transition goals? The findings emphasize the leadership role of the energy network company, the importance of relational investments and knowledge sharing. The scientific contributions of this study are that the process of goal frame alignment in the energy transition is described. The study shows how various forms of MSC contribute to the achievement of long-term energy transition objectives, and how governance rules influence collaborative arrangements, by stimulating an integrated approach to sustainable energy and spatial planning. Future research can examine leadership roles, MSC in a wider range of localities and regions, and boundary spanning.</jats:p>