The notion of Iran as ‘high energy-intensity-country’: a critique by Zahra Zarepour

Abstract                          

This is a critical note on the international comparative assessment of the energy dependence of countries based on measures of energy intensity that are employed to contrast and analyse peer sectors or firms. Energy use per unit of GDP or GDP produced per unit of energy are inspired by measures that are constructed to compare coequal firms/sectors’ value-added relative to their consumption of energy. While the measure seems innocent, it is questionable to apply it as a metric for comparison without considering other contextual factors.
To obtain credible results, the incorporation of contextual factors such as stage of development and the structure of the economy is essential for a meaningful macro-comparison across countries.   

JEL: O57, Q40.

Keywords

High energy intensity country, Iran, energy consumption, critique, energy use per GDP.

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