The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of research and development (R&D) intensity on renewable energy consumption in selected Asian economies. We have relied on the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) method to get empirical estimates. The short- and long-run results show that a rise in R&D intensity increases renewable energy consumption in China and Japan. In the long run, energy intensity and financial development increase renewable energy consumption in China and India only. Among other control variables, a rise in CO2 emissions causes renewable energy consumption to rise in all three economies in the long run. The trade increases renewable energy consumption in India and Japan in the long run. This study shows the important policy implications of promoting R&D and renewable energy consumption in the selected Asian economies.