Decentralized renewable energy to grow manufacturing? Evidence from microhydro mini-grids in Nepal

IF 5.5 3区经济学 Q1 BUSINESS

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management Pub Date : 2024-12-15 DOI:10.1016/j.jeem.2024.103092

Robyn C. Meeks , Hope Thompson , Zhenxuan Wang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Firms in developing countries often identify electricity as a major constraint to operations. Decentralized renewable energy sources, which are often promoted as a tool to achieve sustainable development, could help alleviate these constraints by providing “clean” electricity to locations that are difficult to reach with the centralized electric grid. We investigate whether electrification in Nepal – via microhydro plants and their mini-grids – helped grow the manufacturing sector and thereby induce structural transformation. Mini-grids led to a small but statistically significant increase in manufacturing establishments. Following electrification, females and males were more likely to be employees and less likely to be self-employed. Likewise, usual employment activities shifted from labor in agriculture to salary and wage work. In locations with smaller generation capacities, the impacts of mini-grids on labor-related outcomes were smaller. There is suggestive evidence of larger impacts in locations with better market access.

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分散式可再生能源促进制造业发展？尼泊尔微型水电微型电网的证据

发展中国家的企业往往将电力视为运营的主要制约因素。分散的可再生能源常常被宣传为实现可持续发展的工具，它可以通过向中央电网难以到达的地方提供“清洁”电力来帮助减轻这些限制。我们调查了尼泊尔的电气化——通过微型水力发电厂及其微型电网——是否有助于发展制造业，从而引发结构转型。微型电网导致制造企业数量虽小但在统计上有显著增长。在电气化之后，女性和男性更有可能成为雇员，而不太可能成为自雇人士。同样，通常的就业活动从农业劳动转向工资和工资工作。在发电能力较小的地区，微型电网对劳动力相关结果的影响较小。有证据表明，在市场准入较好的地区，影响更大。

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来源期刊

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management Multiple-

CiteScore

8.00

自引率

4.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Environmental Economics and Management publishes theoretical and empirical papers devoted to specific natural resources and environmental issues. For consideration, papers should (1) contain a substantial element embodying the linkage between economic systems and environmental and natural resources systems or (2) be of substantial importance in understanding the management and/or social control of the economy in its relations with the natural environment. Although the general orientation of the journal is toward economics, interdisciplinary papers by researchers in other fields of interest to resource and environmental economists will be welcomed.