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The energy efficiency gap and barriers to investments: Evidence from a firm survey in The Netherlands

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  • Bremer, Leon
  • den Nijs, Sacha
  • de Groot, Henri L.F.

Abstract

This study investigates the energy efficiency (EE) gap, referring to private agents who are not making seemingly profitable investments to reduce energy use. We deploy a questionnaire among firms in The Netherlands in which we ask them about investment behavior and barriers to investing in EE. A set of 16 barriers is constructed based on the literature. We find that most firms (70%) have made EE investments in the past five years, and that the median firm has saved 10% of its energy use. The remaining profitable EE investment opportunities still leave room for another 15% of energy savings at the median firm. We find that uncertainty about future policies ranks as the leading barrier to EE investments, followed by lock-ins in current equipment, and energy price uncertainty. Especially energy-intensive firms indicate the importance of policy uncertainty. Additionally, we find that a firm’s network can be an important channel for obtaining EE investment knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Bremer, Leon & den Nijs, Sacha & de Groot, Henri L.F., 2024. "The energy efficiency gap and barriers to investments: Evidence from a firm survey in The Netherlands," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:133:y:2024:i:c:s0140988324002068
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy efficiency gap; Energy savings; Energy policy; Investment barriers; Energy efficiency investments; Policy uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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