Energies (Aug 2024)
An Efficiency Evaluation and Driving Effect Analysis of the Green Transformation of the Thermal Power Industrial Chain: Evidence Based on Impacts and Challenges in China
Abstract
The high carbon emissions and pollution of China’s thermal power industry chain have exacerbated environmental and climate degradation. Therefore, accelerating the green transformation process is of great significance in promoting the sustainable development of enterprises. This study selected 30 listed thermal power enterprises in China as research objects, analyzed their data from 2018 to 2022, set targeted input–output indicators for different stages, and used a two-stage dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to evaluate and measure the efficiency of the green transformation of Chinese thermal power enterprises. In addition, this study also uses the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method to analyze the driving effects of green transformation. The results indicate that in terms of overall efficiency, there is a significant difference in the overall performance of these 30 thermal power enterprises, with a large difference in average efficiency values. Efficiency values are related to enterprise size. In terms of stage efficiency, the average efficiency value of thermal power enterprises in the profit stage was significantly higher than that in the transformation stage, and the profitability of Chinese thermal power enterprises was better. In terms of sub-indicator efficiency, the efficiency of each indicator shows a “U”-shaped trend, and there is a certain correlation between the operating costs and revenue of thermal power enterprises, the market value of green transformation, and related indicators. In addition, the most important factor affecting the efficiency of green transformation is the sewage cost they face, whereas their operational capabilities have the least impact on their green transformation. In this regard, thermal power enterprises should increase their investment in the research and development of key technologies for thermal power transformation and continuously optimize their energy structure. The government will increase financial support for thermal power green transformation enterprises and correspondingly increase emission costs.
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