Regional Disparities and Variation Sources Decomposition of Energy System Resilience in China

Abstract

In the dynamic global landscape, enhancing energy system resilience has become a key focus for nations. As a major energy powerhouse, China’s complex energy system and significant regional disparities highlight the urgent need for a resilient energy system capable of withstanding external shocks and achieving self-recovery. This study assessed the resilience levels of energy systems across 30 Chinese provinces from 2006 to 2020 using a comprehensive indicator system tailored to China’s specific needs. By applying Dagum’s Gini coefficient decomposition, the KMeans clustering algorithm, and variance decomposition, the research explored spatial disparities in China’s energy system resilience, their trends, and underlying causes. The results revealed growing disparities, with polarization emerging across regions. These differences are primarily driven by uneven advancements in technology and informatization, particularly in the northwest, southwest, and northeast regions. This highlights the importance of targeted government action to reduce regional disparities, support technological growth, and enhance informatization in less developed regions to advance China’s energy sector.

Keywords: Energy system resilienceSpatial disparitiesCombined dynamic evaluationSource structural decomposition