Abstract The twenty-first century must see a decarbonisation of electricity production to mitigate the flow of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This paper presents an econometric analysis of the factors that motivate the use of renewable energy in electricity production using panel data from European Union Member States during the period 2000–2015. The research extends the literature in this area in several ways. Firstly, the econometric analysis is focused on the electricity sector rather than on the overall primary energy supply, which also includes the diverse heating and transport sectors. In addition, an alternative public policy variable is proposed using the tax and levy component of electricity bills. Furthermore, an alternative econometric approach is employed using a hybrid mixed effects estimator. The results of this analysis are found to be broadly as expected. Electricity grid interconnection and higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions both motivate the development of renewable electricity, with point elasticities of 0.55 and 0.87 respectively. Policy implications are that policy support for fossil fuels should be ceased; electricity grid interconnections should be developed between countries; and furthermore, levies on retail electricity prices to fund RE support schemes are effective at promoting renewable electricity.

中文翻译：

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在欧洲迈向可再生电力：重新审视欧盟可再生电力的决定因素

摘要 21 世纪必须见证电力生产的脱碳，以减少温室气体排放到大气中的流动。本文使用 2000 年至 2015 年期间欧盟成员国的面板数据，对推动在电力生产中使用可再生能源的因素进行了计量经济学分析。该研究以多种方式扩展了该领域的文献。首先，计量经济学分析侧重于电力部门，而不是整体一次能源供应，其中还包括各种供暖和运输部门。此外，还提出了使用电费的税收和征费部分的替代公共政策变量。此外，使用混合混合效应估计器采用了另一种计量经济学方法。发现该分析的结果大体上符合预期。电网互联和更高水平的温室气体排放都推动了可再生电力的发展，点弹性分别为 0.55 和 0.87。政策含义是应停止对化石燃料的政策支持；各国之间应发展电网互联；此外，征收零售电价以资助可再生能源支持计划可有效促进可再生电力的发展。各国之间应发展电网互联；此外，征收零售电价以资助可再生能源支持计划可有效促进可再生电力的发展。各国之间应发展电网互联；此外，征收零售电价以资助可再生能源支持计划可有效促进可再生电力的发展。