Abstract
Motivated by the government's proposed target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% of the 2005 level in the year 2020, we estimate the residential willingness-to-pay (WTP) for deep decarbonization of Hong Kong's electricity supply, which is heavily dependent on coal-fired generation. Our contingent valuation survey conducted in 2016 of 1460 households yields dichotomous choice data based on the respondents’ answers to a series of closed-ended questions. Such data are less susceptible to the strategic bias that often plagues self-stated WTP data obtained by direct elicitation via open-ended questions. Using binary choice models, we find that average WTP is 48–51%, relative to current bills, if the decarbonization target is achieved via natural gas generation and renewable energy. However, estimated WTP declines to 32–42% when decarbonization entails additional nuclear imports from China. As the projected bill increase caused by the target's implementation is 40%, our WTP estimates support the government's fuel mix policy of using natural gas and renewable energy to displace Hong Kong's coal generation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 218-227 |
Journal | Energy Policy |
Volume | 109 |
Early online date | Jul 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Citation
Cheng, Y. S., Cao, K. H., Woo, C. K., & Yatchew, A. (2017). Residential willingness to pay for deep decarbonization of electricity supply: Contingent valuation evidence from Hong Kong. Energy Policy, 109, 218-227.Keywords
- Residential willingness-to-pay
- Electricity decarbonization
- Contingent valuation
- Hong Kong