Is information and communication technology a driver for renewable energy?

• Published in: Energy economics 2023-08, Vol.124, p.106786, Article 106786
• Main Authors: Lee, Chien-Chiang, Chen, Mei-Ping, Yuan, Zihao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Country risk; Information and communication technology (ICT); Method of moments quantile regression (MMQR); Renewable energy
• ISSN: 0140-9883; 1873-6181
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106786

Renewable energy (RE) has become the biggest driving force to achieve sustainable development. This research hence explores the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on RE by accounting for country risk (CR) as an interaction term with a sample of 126 nations from 2000 to 2019. Using the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), we find that the positive impacts of Internet usage, secure network services, and high-tech exports are more effective in assisting RE output when nations have a lower level of RE output, while fixed broadband subscriptions are more effective for higher RE output nations. Lastly, CR affects the causal connection between RE output and ICT. Our findings offer insights for policymakers to consider their CR, RE condition, and varying impacts of different ICTs in order to advance both RE and ICT usages. •The article studies whether and how information and communication technology (ICT) affects renewable energy (RE).•The regulatory effect of country risk (economic risk, financial risk, and political risk) is further considered.•Results indicate that ICT exists an important nonlinear effect on RE.•Country risk exhibits a moderating effect on the relationship between ICT and RE.