Energy poverty continues to obstruct inclusive and sustainable development in China, particularly in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure despite rapid advances in digitalization. This study explores the relationship between the digital economy and energy poverty across 25 Chinese regions from 2012 to 2024, employing spatial econometric modeling, benchmark regressions, and mediation effect analysis to assess both direct and indirect impacts. The empirical findings reveal: (1) the digital economy significantly reduces energy poverty, with stronger effects in more digitally advanced regions; (2) economic growth acts as a key mediating mechanism, particularly in eastern China where digital infrastructure is more mature; (3) regional disparities are evident, with central and western regions showing weaker or statistically insignificant mediation effects; (4) in areas with low digital penetration, the impact on energy poverty is limited, highlighting the uneven digital divide; and (5) spatial autocorrelation analysis confirms significant clustering of energy poverty, indicating strong regional interdependence. These results emphasize the need for region-specific policies that accelerate digital infrastructure, promote green finance, and integrate energy planning with digital development to effectively alleviate energy poverty. • Digital economy significantly reduces energy poverty across 25 Chinese regions. • Economic growth mediates digitalization's impact, especially in eastern China. • Central and western regions show weaker or insignificant digital effects. • Spatial autocorrelation reveals strong regional clustering of energy poverty. • Calls for region-specific digital, green finance, and energy planning policies.
Zhou et al. (Fri,) studied this question.