Energy Transitions in Yunnan Province Based on Production Function Theory

Meng Peng (), Li Tan, Huan Li, Jin Wu, Tao Ma (), Hongzhang Xu (), Jiayu Xu (), Weidong Zhao and Jiming Hao
Additional contact information
Meng Peng: Division of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection, China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, Beijing 100048, China
Li Tan: Division of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection, China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, Beijing 100048, China
Huan Li: Division of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection, China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, Beijing 100048, China
Jin Wu: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100083, China
Tao Ma: Division of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection, China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, Beijing 100048, China
Hongzhang Xu: Mathematical Sciences Institute, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2612, Australia
Jiayu Xu: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100083, China
Weidong Zhao: Division of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection, China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, Beijing 100048, China
Jiming Hao: School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Yunnan is rich in renewable energy resources. An understanding of its energy structure and developmental trajectories would assist in enabling the design of suitable decarbonizing pathways and how to fit into the national 30–60 agenda. Drawing from endogenous growth theory and time series analysis, our study employs comparative functions and scenario assessments to predict the changes in the key economic indicators, such as GDP, industrial structure shifts, population, and urbanization rates, during the low-carbon transition. We further show energy structure patterns and intensity trends using regression-modeling and data-fitting methods. Based on our analyses, we project that by 2035, Yunnan’s GDP will grow to CNY 5.4761 trillion, with secondary and tertiary industries contributing 88.8%. The population is estimated to grow to 52.08 million with an urbanization rate of 70%. Moreover, fossil fuel energy consumption is forecasted to diminish to 38.7%, and energy consumption intensity is projected to be reduced to 0.38 tons of standard coal per CNY 10,000. If these metrics follow the inherent endogenous growth trend, Yunnan’s emissions are forecasted to peak at around 220 million tons of CO 2 by 2030. These findings not only provide a data foundation for Yunnan’s low-carbon development goals but also illuminate pathways for regions rich in renewable resources to transition towards sustainable growth, emphasizing the harmony between advancement and environmental stewardship.

Keywords: energy structure; energy transitions; renewable energy resources; Yunnan Province; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7299/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7299/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:21:p:7299-:d:1269049

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().