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Does Renewable Energy Matter for Economic Growth and Happiness?

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandra Ostrowska

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Kamil Kotliński

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Łukasz Markowski

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

This paper investigates whether renewable energy influences economic growth and happiness. Using panel data from 25 European Union countries for the period 2012–2022, this study employs a panel model for estimation with fixed and random effects, and robust HAC standard errors. According to the research results, in general, the growing share of renewable energy in the energy mix has a positive impact on economic growth and the happiness of citizens. However, detailed research has shown that this effect depends on the type of energy; a significant positive impact was recorded only in solar share energy, wind share energy and economic growth. However, almost all types of renewable energy were included, i.e., biofuel, hydro, solar and other renewable share energy, and all had a significantly positive impact on the level of happiness. The exception was wind share energy, which showed a significant negative impact. The research findings of this paper provide empirical support for promoting renewable energy, which is positive both for economies and the happiness of citizens. It is one of the main aspects of sustainable economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Ostrowska & Kamil Kotliński & Łukasz Markowski, 2024. "Does Renewable Energy Matter for Economic Growth and Happiness?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:11:p:2619-:d:1404532
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Raghutla, Chandrashekar & Chittedi, Krishna Reddy & Jiao, Zhilun & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2020. "The effect of renewable energy consumption on economic growth: Evidence from the renewable energy country attractive index," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    2. Stamatios Ntanos & Michalis Skordoulis & Grigorios Kyriakopoulos & Garyfallos Arabatzis & Miltiadis Chalikias & Spyros Galatsidas & Athanasios Batzios & Apostolia Katsarou, 2018. "Renewable Energy and Economic Growth: Evidence from European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-13, July.
    3. András Szeberényi & Tomasz Rokicki & Árpád Papp-Váry, 2022. "Examining the Relationship between Renewable Energy and Environmental Awareness," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Omri, Anis & Omri, Henda & Slimani, Sana & Belaid, Fateh, 2022. "Environmental degradation and life satisfaction: Do governance and renewable energy matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    5. Bhattacharya, Mita & Paramati, Sudharshan Reddy & Ozturk, Ilhan & Bhattacharya, Sankar, 2016. "The effect of renewable energy consumption on economic growth: Evidence from top 38 countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 733-741.
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