The impact of digital economy on renewable energy development in China

Abstract

Digital economy has been the essential driving force for green development and energy transition, while the role of digital economy in the development of renewable energy remains limited. This paper explores how digital economy development alters renewable energy in China. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces and the fixed effects model, this paper finds a positive association between digital economy and renewable energy development. The digital economy exhibits a stronger positive impact on hydro energy compared to wind energy and solar energy. Local government intervention can enhance the positive association between digital economy and hydro energy development, while reducing the positive effect of digital economy on wind energy and solar energy development. We also find that digital economy produces larger promoting effects on renewable energy development in the central and western provinces compared with the eastern provinces.