IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i16p3993-d1454843.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Determinants of Non-Hydro Renewable Energy Consumption in China’s Provincial Regions

Author

Listed:
  • Yuanbo Hu

    (School of Digital Business (Wenzhou Supply Chain Academy, Wenzhou Supply Chain Research Institute), Zhejiang Dongfang Polytechnic, Wenzhou 325025, China)

  • Weilun Huang

    (School of Finance and Trade, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Aibi Dai

    (School of Intelligent Elderly Care (School of Health and Medicine), Zhejiang Dongfang Polytechnic, Wenzhou 325025, China)

  • Xuemeng Zhao

    (School of Finance and Trade, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou 325035, China)

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of non-hydro renewable energy (NHRE) consumption across 31 provincial regions in China, spanning from 2015 to 2022. Utilizing fixed effects and moderating effects, the research analyzes the impacts of research and development intensity (RDI), urbanization (UR), and human capital (HC) on NHRE consumption (NHREC). Additionally, the moderating roles of industrial structure (IS) and tax (TA) are examined, along with control variables such as informationization and economic development. The findings reveal that increased RDI significantly boosts NHREC by enhancing technological advancements. UR also positively affects NHREC, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions, while HC provides a skilled workforce that drives renewable energy projects. However, the study identifies that concentrated industrial structures and high taxes can negatively moderate these positive impacts, highlighting the complex interplay of these factors. Policy recommendations include creating “Renewable Energy Innovation Hubs” in underdeveloped regions to attract startups and researchers, developing “Solar Cities” with mandated solar panels on all buildings, and introducing a “Carbon Offset Lottery” to incentivize investments in renewable energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanbo Hu & Weilun Huang & Aibi Dai & Xuemeng Zhao, 2024. "Determinants of Non-Hydro Renewable Energy Consumption in China’s Provincial Regions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-43, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3993-:d:1454843
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/3993/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/3993/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lin, Boqiang & Omoju, Oluwasola E., 2017. "Focusing on the right targets: Economic factors driving non-hydro renewable energy transition," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 52-63.
    2. Marques, António Cardoso & Fuinhas, José Alberto & Pereira, Diogo Santos, 2019. "The dynamics of the short and long-run effects of public policies supporting renewable energy: A comparative study of installed capacity and electricity generation," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 188-206.
    3. Aryanpur, Vahid & Atabaki, Mohammad Saeid & Marzband, Mousa & Siano, Pierluigi & Ghayoumi, Kiarash, 2019. "An overview of energy planning in Iran and transition pathways towards sustainable electricity supply sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 58-74.
    4. Filip Johnsson & Jan Kjärstad & Johan Rootzén, 2019. "The threat to climate change mitigation posed by the abundance of fossil fuels," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 258-274, February.
    5. Pablo E. Carvajal & Francis G. N. Li, 2019. "Challenges for hydropower-based nationally determined contributions: a case study for Ecuador," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(8), pages 974-987, September.
    6. Becerra-Lopez, Humberto R. & Golding, Peter, 2007. "Dynamic exergy analysis for capacity expansion of regional power-generation systems: Case study of far West Texas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(11), pages 2167-2186.
    7. Chen, Xu & Li, Zhongshu & Gallagher, Kevin P. & Mauzerall, Denise L., 2021. "Financing carbon lock-in in developing countries: Bilateral financing for power generation technologies from China, Japan, and the United States," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    8. Pfeiffer, Birte & Mulder, Peter, 2013. "Explaining the diffusion of renewable energy technology in developing countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 285-296.
    9. Gonzalez Sanchez, Rocio & Seliger, Roman & Fahl, Fernando & De Felice, Luca & Ouarda, Taha B.M.J. & Farinosi, Fabio, 2020. "Freshwater use of the energy sector in Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    10. Moises Neil V Seriño, 2022. "Energy security through diversification of non-hydro renewable energy sources in developing countries," Energy & Environment, , vol. 33(3), pages 546-561, May.
    11. Yi, Bo-Wen & Xu, Jin-Hua & Fan, Ying, 2019. "Coordination of policy goals between renewable portfolio standards and carbon caps: A quantitative assessment in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 25-35.
    12. Mahdi Asadi & Iman Larki & Mohammad Mahdi Forootan & Rouhollah Ahmadi & Meisam Farajollahi, 2023. "Long-Term Scenario Analysis of Electricity Supply and Demand in Iran: Time Series Analysis, Renewable Electricity Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-24, March.
    13. Liu, Ying & Feng, Chao, 2023. "Promoting renewable energy through national energy legislation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    14. Iyabo Adeola Olanrele & José Alberto Fuinhas, 2024. "Assessment of renewable electricity adoption in sub-Saharan Africa," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(2), pages 848-873, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Best, Rohan & Burke, Paul J., 2018. "Adoption of solar and wind energy: The roles of carbon pricing and aggregate policy support," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 404-417.
    2. Li, Raymond & Lee, Hazel, 2022. "The role of energy prices and economic growth in renewable energy capacity expansion – Evidence from OECD Europe," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 435-443.
    3. Moises Neil V Seriño, 2022. "Energy security through diversification of non-hydro renewable energy sources in developing countries," Energy & Environment, , vol. 33(3), pages 546-561, May.
    4. Dogan, Eyup & Chishti, Muhammad Zubair & Karimi Alavijeh, Nooshin & Tzeremes, Panayiotis, 2022. "The roles of technology and Kyoto Protocol in energy transition towards COP26 targets: Evidence from the novel GMM-PVAR approach for G-7 countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    5. Yang, Chunmeng & Bu, Siqi & Fan, Yi & Wan, Wayne Xinwei & Wang, Ruoheng & Foley, Aoife, 2023. "Data-driven prediction and evaluation on future impact of energy transition policies in smart regions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    6. Alharbi, Samar S. & Al Mamun, Md & Boubaker, Sabri & Rizvi, Syed Kumail Abbas, 2023. "Green finance and renewable energy: A worldwide evidence," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    7. Przychodzen, Wojciech & Przychodzen, Justyna, 2020. "Determinants of renewable energy production in transition economies: A panel data approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    8. Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Chen, Yu-Long & Li, Heng, 2019. "What affects the development of renewable energy power generation projects in China: ISM analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 506-517.
    9. Qin, Yong & Xu, Zeshui & Wang, Xinxin & Škare, Marinko, 2023. "The effects of financial institutions on the green energy transition: A cross-sectional panel study," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 524-542.
    10. Bourcet, Clémence, 2020. "Empirical determinants of renewable energy deployment: A systematic literature review," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    11. Østergaard, P.A. & Lund, H. & Thellufsen, J.Z. & Sorknæs, P. & Mathiesen, B.V., 2022. "Review and validation of EnergyPLAN," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    12. -, 2023. "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023," La Inversión Extranjera Directa en América Latina y el Caribe, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 48979 edited by Eclac, May.
    13. Reddy, K. Bheemalingeswara & Bhosale, Amit C., 2024. "Effect of number of blades on performance and wake recovery for a vertical axis helical hydrokinetic turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    14. Verdolini, Elena & Vona, Francesco & Popp, David, 2018. "Bridging the gap: Do fast-reacting fossil technologies facilitate renewable energy diffusion?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 242-256.
    15. Marques, António Cardoso & Fuinhas, José Alberto & Neves, Sónia Almeida, 2018. "Ordinary and Special Regimes of electricity generation in Spain: How they interact with economic activity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1226-1240.
    16. Johan Lilliestam & Anthony Patt & Germán Bersalli, 2022. "On the quality of emission reductions: observed effects of carbon pricing on investments, innovation, and operational shifts. A response to van den Bergh and Savin (2021)," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(3), pages 733-758, November.
    17. Mengzhu Xiao & Manuel Wetzel & Thomas Pregger & Sonja Simon & Yvonne Scholz, 2020. "Modeling the Supply of Renewable Electricity to Metropolitan Regions in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, June.
    18. Tolliver, Clarence & Keeley, Alexander Ryota & Managi, Shunsuke, 2020. "Policy targets behind green bonds for renewable energy: Do climate commitments matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    19. Xia, Wanjun & Murshed, Muntasir & Khan, Zeeshan & Chen, Zhenling & Ferraz, Diogo, 2022. "Exploring the nexus between fiscal decentralization and energy poverty for China: Does country risk matter for energy poverty reduction?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    20. Li-chen Zhang & Zheng-ai Dong & Zhi-xiong Tan & Jia-hui Luo & De-kui Yan, 2024. "Institutional Performance and Carbon Reduction Effect of High-Quality Development of New Energy: China’s Experience and Policy Implication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-26, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3993-:d:1454843. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.