Energy Subsidies in Argentina Lead to Inequalities and Low Thermal Efficiency

Alejandro D. González
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Alejandro D. González: Research Institute on Biodiversity and Environment (INIBIOMA), CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, 8400 Bariloche, RN, Argentina

Energies, 2009, vol. 2, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Natural gas is the main energy resource for buildings in Argentina. Since 2002, subsidies have kept the prices of this fuel between 9 and 26 times lower than regular prices in other countries. The lowest prices are the result of climate-related subsidies. In cold areas, heating uses several times more energy than locations in Europe with a similar climate. A potential for consumption reductions of up to 70% suggests a very low building thermal performance. The main barriers to finding a solution are the heavy subsidies and public unawareness. Users, government officials, and construction professionals do not identify the very low thermal efficiency. Energy policies to encourage improvements are proposed.

Keywords: energy subsidies; thermal efficiency; improvements; savings (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: 2009
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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