Blessing or curse? The effect of population aging on renewable energy

Chien-Chiang Lee (), Jingyang Yan and Chengnan Xuan

Energy, 2025, vol. 320, issue C

Abstract: Population aging and energy transition are two important issues facing today's society and are key to promoting the long-term balanced development of society. An in-depth study of the links between these two issues can help formulate comprehensive policies to promote sustainable development. This paper examines the link between population aging and renewable energy development using Chinese provincial panel data. The paper draws the following conclusions based on the empirical study. First, population aging does not hinder the development of renewable energy, but promotes energy structure transformation. Second, population aging promotes energy transition by improving energy efficiency and widening the difference between urban and rural energy consumption. Third, income levels, technological innovation and industrial upgrading enhance the enabling effects of population ageing. Finally, the enabling effect of population structure on renewable energy development is more pronounced in the eastern regions, southern regions, resource-based cities and cities with higher economic levels. Based on the findings, this research suggests specific policy recommendations to facilitate energy structure transformation in light of population aging.

Keywords: Population aging; Renewable energy; Energy structure transition; Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:320:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225009211

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135279

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