Examining Asymmetric Behavior Between Energy Consumption and Economic Growth in Taiwan

Abstract

Energy consumption growth has recently been higher than economic growth in Taiwan, worsening energy efficiency. This article utilizes the momentum-threshold autoregressive cointegration method to examine the long-run equilibrium relationship between economic growth and energy consumption growth, particularly focusing on the most energy-consuming sectors in Taiwan. Allowing for a threshold effect sheds new light on the explanation of the non-linear characteristics of the energy-growth link. The results indicate that economic growth is non-linearly cointegrated with energy consumption when the asymmetric adjusting behavior is confirmed. Specifically, we find that the deviations adjust persistently toward equilibrium in a relative energy efficiency regime for the aggregate-level, while for the sector level in a relative energy inefficiency regime. The government authority should conduct effective energy demand-side management to improve energy efficiency.