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Macroeconomic impacts of power sector reforms in China

Author

Listed:
  • Timilsina, Govinda R.
  • Pang, Jun
  • Yang, Xi

Abstract

Many countries have undertaken market-oriented reforms of the power sector over the past four decades. However, the literature has not investigated whether the reforms have contributed to economic growth. This study assesses the potential macroeconomic impacts of following the market-based principle in operating and expanding the power system, an important ingredient of the power sector reform launched in China in 2015. The study uses a hybrid modeling approach by coupling a top-down computable general equilibrium model with a bottom-up energy sector TIMES model. The study finds that electricity prices in China would be 20 percent lower than the country is likely to experience in 2020 if the country follows the market principle to expand and operate the power system. The price reduction would spill over throughout the economy, resulting in an increase in the gross domestic product of more than one percent (or more than a billion US dollars) in 2020. It would also have positive impacts on most economic indicators, including household income and international trade. The findings quantitatively highlight the importance of implementing the 2015 power sector reforms in China and further expanding the initiatives in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Timilsina, Govinda R. & Pang, Jun & Yang, Xi, 2021. "Macroeconomic impacts of power sector reforms in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:157:y:2021:i:c:s0301421521003797
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112509

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Huang, Zhenyu & Liu, Youbo & Li, Kecun & Liu, Jichun & Gao, Hongjun & Qiu, Gao & Shen, Xiaodong & Liu, Junyong, 2023. "Evaluating long-term profile of demand response under different market designs: A comparison of scarcity pricing and capacity auction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    4. Tianyu Li & Ciwei Gao & Michael G. Pollitt & Tao Chen & Hao Ming, 2025. "Measuring the Effects of Power System Reform in Jiangsu Province, China from the Perspective of Social Cost Benefit Analysis," The Energy Journal, , vol. 46(2), pages 1-33, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy

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