The spatiotemporal characteristics of electrical energy supply-demand and the green economy outlook of Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

The GDP of Guangdong Province exceeded 10 trillion RMB in 2019. The province has the largest economy in China and also the greatest consumption of electrical energy, the most important driving force for its economic development. However, Guangdong Province has a high degree of external dependence and large internal differences, and consequently, its distribution of electrical energy demand is uneven and its regional growth is unbalanced. Exploration of Guangdong’s electrical energy supply and demand structure and elucidation of the rules governing spatial and temporal changes in its electrical energy systems are highly important. This paper collects data on the electrical energy supply and demand in Guangdong Province from 2000 to 2018, employs ArcGIS spatial analysis and Moran Index and β-convergence test. The main results were as follows. Self-sufficiency for electricity in Guangdong dropped from 100% in 2000 to 69% in 2018. The remainder of electricity was imported. Guangdong mainly relies on thermal electric generation, while other import provinces with the exception of Guizhou mainly rely on hydropower. The proportion of renewable energy fell from 11.6% in 2000 to 5.0% in 2018. The demand for electrical energy in Guangdong is very large, more than half of this demand is from secondary industry. Other modern industries had the highest growth rate in electricity consumption. Electrical energy mainly flows to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the increased demand is also mainly concentrated there. The absolute differences in electrical consumption among cities has increased, showing a distinct polarization phenomenon. This paper provides a reference for solving electrical energy supply-demand problems, ensuring the sustainable development of the economy and promoting the green economic transformation of Guangdong.