Examining energy inequality under the rapid residential energy transition in China through household surveys

Qiang Wang (), Jie Fan (), Mei-Po Kwan, Kan Zhou, Guofeng Shen, Na Li, Bowei Wu and Jian Lin ()
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Qiang Wang: Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University
Jie Fan: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mei-Po Kwan: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Kan Zhou: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guofeng Shen: Peking University
Na Li: Jimei University
Bowei Wu: Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University
Jian Lin: University of California

Nature Energy, 2023, vol. 8, issue 3, 251-263

Abstract: Abstract Since 2013, China has initiated a rapid energy transition that replaces traditional solid fuels with modern clean energy. Despite the tremendous success of the energy transition, its impacts on household energy costs and associated energy inequality remain largely unexplored. Here we use data from a large nationwide household survey to investigate these trends. We find that about two-fifths (43.0%) of surveyed households switched from traditional solid fuels to clean energy during 2013–2017. However, 56.1% to ~61.0% of them were from extremely poor or poor households, causing deep concern for increasing household energy burden. Accordingly, the share of surveyed households in energy poverty increased from 30.1% to 34.2%. Despite the declining inequality in energy cost, a growing inequality in energy burden was revealed during 2013–2017. Our results demonstrate that the energy burden on rural households increased due to the dramatic rise in the cost of clean energy, while urban households tend to spend a lower and decreased proportion of their income on energy.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01193-z

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