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The Road to Eliminating Energy Poverty: Does Renewable Energy Technology Innovation Work?

Author

Listed:
  • Haitao Wu
  • Zhen Wang
  • Ruohan Zhong
  • Yuanfeng Qu
  • Yu Hao

Abstract

Under the constraint of carbon neutrality targets, the issue of energy poverty has garnered increasing concerns. This study aims to measure energy poverty and assess the impact of renewable energy technology innovation in 30 provinces across China. Furthermore, it calculates city-level energy poverty in 274 cities. By examining the influence of renewable energy technology innovation on energy poverty, this study proposes a new approach to accelerate energy transition and promote sustainable development. The regression results, which have undergone rigorous robustness and endogeneity tests, demonstrate that renewable energy technology innovation significantly alleviates energy poverty. Moreover, the treatment effect of policies is determined through the regression control method. Specifically, the cities of Zhangjiakou, Baotou, and Qiqihar are analyzed to provide targeted suggestions for China’s energy development. The treatment effects of both provincial and city-level policies indicate that implementing renewable energy demonstration zones can effectively alleviate energy poverty. JEL Classification: Q48; O31

Suggested Citation

  • Haitao Wu & Zhen Wang & Ruohan Zhong & Yuanfeng Qu & Yu Hao, 2024. "The Road to Eliminating Energy Poverty: Does Renewable Energy Technology Innovation Work?," The Energy Journal, , vol. 45(6), pages 177-201, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:45:y:2024:i:6:p:177-201
    DOI: 10.1177/01956574241288973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yin, Shanggang & Zhou, Yijing & Bai, Caiquan, 2025. "Impact of renewable energy technological innovation on urban low-carbon transition: Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    2. Hao, Xiaoli & Li, Ke & Li, Yuhong & Wu, Haitao, 2025. "How do trade patterns of renewable energy products affect sustainable development goals? Evidence from Belt and Road countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    3. Mara, Eugenia Ramona, 2025. "Mitigating energy poverty in the European union welfare states through renewable energy and technological innovation," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 438-460.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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