A Semi-Parametric Study on the Relationship between Energy Consumption and Regional Economic Growth in China

Based on the panel data of 29 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China from 1995 to 2010, this paper uses a semi-parametric panel data additive model to study the influences of coal, electricity, oil consumptions to regional economic growth. The obtained results indicate that the influence directions and intensities of coal, electricity and oil consumptions to GDP are different in estern, central and western regions of China. They are decided by the combination of linear and nonlinear influences.