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Electricity availability: A precondition for faster economic growth?

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  • Rohan Best
  • Paul J. Burke

Abstract

We investigate if greater electricity availability helps countries ascend to faster economic growth trajectories. This is an important question for many developing countries that are currently prioritizing infrastructure investments. Using cross-sectional and panel regressions with national-level decadal data, we find some evidence that electricity availability has a significant effect on subsequent economic growth. However, much of the effect disappears once suitable controls are included. We examine various dimensions of electricity availability, including electricity consumption quantity, generation capacity, residential access rate, and quality of electricity supply. It appears that electricity availability is best viewed as something that can be scaled up as economies grow rather than something that imposes binding constraints on subsequent economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Rohan Best & Paul J. Burke, 2018. "Electricity availability: A precondition for faster economic growth?," CAMA Working Papers 2018-30, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:een:camaaa:2018-30
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    3. Gerard Bikorimana & Charles Rutikanga & Didier Mwizerwa, 2020. "Linking energy consumption with economic growth: Rwanda as a case study," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2020(2), pages 181-200.
    4. Majed Alharthi, 2019. "Determinants of Economic Development: A Case of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Sudati Nur Safiah & Rr. Retno Sugiharti & Rian Destiningsih & Putra Arif Budiman, 2021. "Dynamic Model for the Consumption of Electrical Energy in Indonesia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(5), pages 356-362.
    6. Xu, Guangyue & Yang, Hualiu & Schwarz, Peter, 2022. "A strengthened relationship between electricity and economic growth in China: An empirical study with a structural equation model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    7. Solomon P. Nathaniel & Festus V. Bekun, 2020. "Electricity Consumption, Urbanization and Economic Growth in Nigeria: New Insights from Combined Cointegration amidst Structural Breaks," Working Papers 20/013, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    8. Azimi, Mohammad Naim & Rahman, Mohammad Mafizur & Maraseni, Tek, 2025. "Powering progress: The interplay of energy security and institutional quality in driving economic growth," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 378(PA).
    9. Garba, Ifeoluwa & Bellingham, Richard, 2021. "Energy poverty: Estimating the impact of solid cooking fuels on GDP per capita in developing countries - Case of sub-Saharan Africa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    10. Kim, Seon Tae & Choi, Bongseok, 2019. "Price risk management and capital structure of oil and gas project companies: Difference between upstream and downstream industries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 361-374.
    11. Apeti, Ablam Estel, 2023. "Household welfare in the digital age: Assessing the effect of mobile money on household consumption volatility in developing countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    12. Zhao, Li & Gao, Zhengye & Ren, Shenggang, 2024. "The effects of long–distance power transmission on employment growth: Empirical evidence from ultra–high voltage projects of China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    13. Acheampong, Alex O. & Opoku, Eric Evans Osei, 2023. "Environmental degradation and economic growth: Investigating linkages and potential pathways," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    14. Djeunankan, Ronald & Njangang, Henri & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2023. "Remittances and energy poverty: Fresh evidence from developing countries," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    15. Nsabimana, René & Perelman, Sergio & Walheer, Barnabé & Mapapa, Mbangala, 2024. "Effectiveness and efficiency in access to reliable electricity: The case of East African countries," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
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    17. Opoku, Eric Evans Osei & Acheampong, Alex O., 2023. "Energy justice and economic growth: Does democracy matter?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 160-186.
    18. Shi, Yong & Ren, Xinyue & Guo, Kun & Zhou, Yi & Wang, Jun, 2020. "Research on the economic development pattern of Chinese counties based on electricity consumption," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    19. Nock, Destenie & Levin, Todd & Baker, Erin, 2020. "Changing the policy paradigm: A benefit maximization approach to electricity planning in developing countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    20. Ablam Estel Apeti, 2022. "Household welfare in the digital age: Assessing the effect of mobile money on household consumption volatility in developing countries," Post-Print hal-03819779, HAL.
    21. Lawal, Adedoyin Isola & Ozturk, Ilhan & Olanipekun, Ifedolapo O. & Asaleye, Abiola John, 2020. "Examining the linkages between electricity consumption and economic growth in African economies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    22. Acheampong, Alex O. & Dzator, Janet & Shahbaz, Muhammad, 2021. "Empowering the powerless: Does access to energy improve income inequality?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    23. Djeunankan, Ronald & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2024. "Linking energy poverty and industrialization: Empirical evidence from African countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    24. Sosson Tadadjeu & Paul Ningaye & Henri Njangang, 2023. "Are natural resources also bad for infrastructure quality?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 1053-1079, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    electricity availability; electricity consumption; economic growth; development economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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