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Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 41151

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tomasz Rokicki

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Management Institute, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska St. 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: energy economy; micro- and macro-economy; economic geography; logistics (above all transport problems); management of information
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Piotr Bórawski

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: agricultural economics; rural areas development; renewable energy sources; biomass production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sebastian Saniuk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering Management and Logistic Systems, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Zielona Góra, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland
Interests: management science, production engineering, logistics, production management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many sectors and areas of economic activity. One of them is the energy sector and the entire energy market. The specific economic and social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are visible here. They can be observed and carefully assessed because the pandemic has been going on for over a year. The effects of a pandemic can be positive as well as negative. On the one hand, there have been changes in the energy enterprises themselves, including adaptation to the needs of consumers. On the other hand, there are also changes in the energy market on the demand side. Models of consumption and distribution of energy have changed. It was related to, inter alia, with forced spending time at home or remote work. The nature of work in enterprises and trade has also changed. As a result, the energy balance has changed. All these changes could also affect energy prices and the methods of energy distribution. The new situation could also contribute to the faster development of works on alternative energy sources or the use of renewable energy. As a result of the pandemic, innovations were introduced in many industries, which also indirectly influenced the directions of changes in the energy market and in the energy sector. The attitude of the society towards energy issues has also changed. Under lockdown conditions, this resource has become crucial for people. In such difficult moments, the public appreciates the innovations and changes that need to be introduced with care for the natural environment, including saving energy resources. The aim of the Special Issue is to collect the results of research and experience on the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic visible after a year on the broadly understood energy sector and the energy market.

Dr. Tomasz Rokicki
Dr. Piotr Bórawski
Dr. Sebastian Saniuk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • changes in the energy sector as a result of Covid-19
  • the energy market during the pandemic
  • changes in energy balance as a result of Covid-19
  • retail and wholesale energy prices during the pandemic
  • adaptation measures in the energy sector during a pandemic
  • energy consumption in the private and public sectors as a result of Covid-19
  • energy consumption by individual consumers and businesses during a pandemic
  • innovation in the energy sector and the energy market in a pandemic
  • innovation in other sectors in the Covid-19 pandemic affecting energy consumption
  • renewable energy during a pandemic
  • alternative energy sources during a pandemic
  • shifting energy-related ecological and environmental patterns as a result of Covid-19
  • projected social consequences of Covid-19 on the energy market and the energy sector

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 7960 KiB  
Article
COVID-19 Impact on the Energy Sector in the United States (2020)
by Warren S. Vaz
Energies 2022, 15(21), 7867; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15217867 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2336
Abstract
This study comprehensively examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy consumption in the United States. The purpose of the study is to quantify the effects of lockdowns and pandemic disruptions on energy consumption trends in order to inform policymakers and utilities [...] Read more.
This study comprehensively examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy consumption in the United States. The purpose of the study is to quantify the effects of lockdowns and pandemic disruptions on energy consumption trends in order to inform policymakers and utilities on how to prepare for such events in the future. The study focuses on 2020 data collected by the Federal government. The effects are quantified using descriptive statistics. State-wise and sector-wise data have been presented using plots and heat maps. Related metrics like COVID case data, GDP, emissions, and expenditures were also presented. The total energy consumption fell by 7.5% in 2020. Besides Alaska, every state saw a decrease in energy, with some as high as 26%. The residential sector had the most states that saw an increase in energy, stemming from lockdowns and working from home. Similarly, petroleum consumption saw a decrease of 11.4% as a result of a decrease in travel. Biomass-related renewable energy generation fell by 23% due to decreased demand, while all other sources increased by 7.3%. Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 10.4%, methane by 2.8%, and nitric oxide by 6.7%. The overall per capita energy expenditure for the country dropped by 18.5%. There was a stronger correlation between GDP and energy consumption than between GDP and COVID case counts. The pandemic did not affect each state or sector evenly. The statistics and correlations presented here can be used in the ongoing effort to study the global impact of the pandemic and prepare for future challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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14 pages, 1469 KiB  
Article
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Decision to Use Solar Energy and Install Photovoltaic Panels in Households in the Years 2019–2021 within the Area of a Selected Polish Municipality
by Sławomir Skiba and Marianna Maruszczak
Energies 2022, 15(19), 7257; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197257 - 02 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
The aim of this article is to show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity consumption and, consequently, on decisions regarding the installation of photovoltaic panels using the example of a selected local authority in Poland—the Szemud Municipality. The analysis was conducted [...] Read more.
The aim of this article is to show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity consumption and, consequently, on decisions regarding the installation of photovoltaic panels using the example of a selected local authority in Poland—the Szemud Municipality. The analysis was conducted in 2022 and covered the years 2019–2021. An attempt was made to explore the factors that may have triggered an increase in the use of solar energy in households and identify the determinants of installing photovoltaic panels in the period under analysis. Previous analyses of the PV market (and the impact of the pandemic on it) have so far focused on the market as a whole, either in macro or global terms, while studies on smaller municipalities have been limited to examining changes in electricity consumption levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and during lockdown. Therefore, a research gap was identified in that there are no studies analyzing the reasons for the shift from conventional to PV-assisted energy in households, with the COVID-19 pandemic as the background of these changes. The literature research showed that there are currently no studies attempting to establish a link between the increased interest in this type of energy by local authorities and the COVID-19 pandemic. The research confirmed the hypothesis of increased interest in household PV during the pandemic. The main conclusions of the study boil down to the need for further support as well as promotion of the use of solar energy. In addition, the results derived from the empirical research indicate the need to take action at a policy level to counter adverse trends regarding undesirable social behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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14 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
Non-Renewable and Renewable Energies, and COVID-19 Pandemic: Do They Matter for China’s Environmental Sustainability?
by Yugang He and Ziqian Zhang
Energies 2022, 15(19), 7143; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197143 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1199
Abstract
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, people all around the globe have seen its effects, including city closures, travel restrictions, and stringent security measures. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond people’s everyday lives. It impacts the air, water, soil, [...] Read more.
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, people all around the globe have seen its effects, including city closures, travel restrictions, and stringent security measures. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond people’s everyday lives. It impacts the air, water, soil, and carbon emissions as well. This article examines the effect of energy and the COVID-19 pandemic on China’s carbon dioxide emissions in light of the aforementioned context, using the daily data from 20 January 2020 and ending on 20 April 2022. Using the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model for empirical analysis, the findings indicate that COVID-19 pandemic confirmed cases and renewable energy advance environmental sustainability due to their negative effects on carbon dioxide emissions, whereas fossil fuel energy hinders environmental sustainability due to its positive effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, these results are also supported by the results of the frequency domain causality test and the Markow switching regression. In light of these results, there are several policy implications, such as vaccination, renewable energy utilization, and non-renewable energy alternative policies, which have been proposed in this paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
20 pages, 5311 KiB  
Article
Overview of Taken Initiatives and Adaptation Measures in Polish Mining Companies during a Pandemic
by Barbara Kowal, Robert Ranosz, Łukasz Herezy, Wojciech Cichy, Olga Świniarska and Lucia Domaracka
Energies 2022, 15(17), 6403; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15176403 - 01 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1327
Abstract
The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus two years ago strongly affected economic life and labour markets around the world. The pandemic affected many sectors, including the mining industry. Coal companies have had to cope with the challenges and adapt their operations to [...] Read more.
The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus two years ago strongly affected economic life and labour markets around the world. The pandemic affected many sectors, including the mining industry. Coal companies have had to cope with the challenges and adapt their operations to the situation. Due to the peculiarities of the mines, not only to the hazardous factors and conditions prevailing underground but also to the large number of employees who usually move in groups in the plants, the emergence of a new threat caused by a biological agent posed a real challenge for them. The aim of this paper was to present the initiatives and measures taken in the coal mining sector to ensure the safety of workers during a pandemic. The guidelines for the operation of mining plants during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic were analysed, as well as the identification of locations in mining plants particularly vulnerable to infection with the virus. We also presented how the pandemic period affected the operations of a selected coal company in Poland from an economic point of view. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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26 pages, 1632 KiB  
Article
Changes in Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in EU Countries as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Sector and Area Economy
by Tomasz Rokicki, Radosław Jadczak, Adam Kucharski, Piotr Bórawski, Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska, András Szeberényi and Aleksandra Perkowska
Energies 2022, 15(17), 6243; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15176243 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Energy is vital for the proper functioning of the various sectors of the economy and social life. During the pandemic, there have been some changes in these aspects that need to be investigated. The main objective of this article is to identify the [...] Read more.
Energy is vital for the proper functioning of the various sectors of the economy and social life. During the pandemic, there have been some changes in these aspects that need to be investigated. The main objective of this article is to identify the direction of change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in energy consumption and energy intensity in sectors and economic areas in EU countries. The specific objectives are to identify the importance of energy consumption in sectors and areas of the economy in individual EU countries; to determine the dynamics of change and variability during the pandemic in energy consumption in individual sectors and areas of the economy in EU countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic; to determine the changes in energy intensity of individual economic sectors and the differences in energy intensity between individual EU countries, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a purposive selection method, all 27 EU Member States were selected for the study on 31 December 2020. The analysed period covered the years 2005–2020. The sources of material were literature and data from Eurostat. Descriptive, tabular and graphical methods, dynamic indicators with a fixed base and variable base, Gini coefficient, coefficient of variation, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient, and multi-criteria analysis were used for analysis and presentation. It was found that the structure of energy consumption had remained unchanged for several years, with transport, industry and households dominating. There were no significant differences between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced energy consumption in all sectors of the economy, the largest in transport and services and the smaller in industry. At the same time, household energy consumption increased. As a result of the pandemic, there was an increase in energy intensity in all sectors of the economy, the largest in industry. Western European countries had a lower energy intensity of the economy than Central and Eastern European countries. There was little change over several years. Countries generally maintained their ranking. The pandemic did not change anything in this respect, meaning that it had a similar impact on individual EU countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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19 pages, 5297 KiB  
Article
Combating Energy Poverty in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Global Economic Uncertainty
by Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene
Energies 2022, 15(10), 3649; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15103649 - 16 May 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2498
Abstract
The effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector and the economy as a whole are being followed by the global energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The situation is particularly difficult for European countries, which [...] Read more.
The effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector and the economy as a whole are being followed by the global energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The situation is particularly difficult for European countries, which are heavily dependent on imported energy from Russia. In the face of such economic uncertainty, it is necessary to analyze and assess the energy poverty situation in the region. The article overviews the extent of energy poverty among European Union (EU) countries and determines regional differences by comparing the situation, trends and policy measures applied, followed by the challenges and opportunities to combat energy poverty among households during the global COVID-19 crisis and economic uncertainty. A scientific literature review was performed and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy poverty of households was identified. Moreover, a set of indicators reflecting the extent of energy poverty in different EU countries has been developed and an analysis of indicators was performed by comparing the situation, trends and policy measures applied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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26 pages, 1427 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Electric Cars Purchase Intention in Poland: Personal Attitudes v. Economic Arguments
by Katarzyna Sobiech-Grabka, Anna Stankowska and Krzysztof Jerzak
Energies 2022, 15(9), 3078; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093078 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5005
Abstract
Urban e-mobility, seen as a part of complex and multidimensional European Green Deal plan, is essential for cities. However, it cannot be implemented without a common social commitment accompanied by a shared, strong belief in its advantages. Even if urban authorities and central [...] Read more.
Urban e-mobility, seen as a part of complex and multidimensional European Green Deal plan, is essential for cities. However, it cannot be implemented without a common social commitment accompanied by a shared, strong belief in its advantages. Even if urban authorities and central governments would encourage their citizens to buy or share an electric vehicle (EV), the shift to EV will not be significant without people convinced that the idea of becoming zero-emission is economically viable and rational to them privately. This is especially true and important in countries like Poland—which is classified as an “EV readiness straggler”. The main purpose of this study is to develop a robust forecasting model with the aid of advanced machine learning methods. Based on the survey conducted, we identified factors useful for predicting consumer behaviour in terms of willingness to purchase an EV. The proposed machine-learning tool (specifically, the Random Forest algorithm) will allow automotive companies to more effectively target factors supporting the promulgation of urban individual e-mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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21 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
Oil and Gas Markets and COVID-19: A Critical Rumination on Drivers, Triggers, and Volatility
by Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay
Energies 2022, 15(8), 2884; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082884 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2006
Abstract
The paper endeavours to explore and analyse some critical issues in the oil and gas market that cropped up around the spread of COVID-19 and tries to identify the key drivers and triggers pertaining therewith. The spread of the first wave that began [...] Read more.
The paper endeavours to explore and analyse some critical issues in the oil and gas market that cropped up around the spread of COVID-19 and tries to identify the key drivers and triggers pertaining therewith. The spread of the first wave that began in March 2020 is crucial because of the global economic downturn that ensued due to lockdown and imposed restrictions coupled with a protracted oil price war that began between Saudi Arabia and Russia. The paper tries to address some key research questions to understand the triggers and drivers around the pandemic. These are: (1) whether the behaviour of OPEC or its key players around the pandemic could be considered uniquely different; (2) what could the triggers be for the increased volatilities that cropped up in both physical and financial markets during the pandemic; (3) what was really different about the oil market crisis around the pandemic that transformed it to an unprecedented storage crisis; (4) what really went wrong with the much-hyped U.S. shale boom during the pandemic that led to the bankruptcy of several oil and gas companies, followed by huge job losses. The paper relies on a structured review of relevant secondary literature to address these exploratory questions and builds upon a retrospective rumination on the world oil market from 1960 to 2020. This is complemented by an analysis of supporting data and evidence obtained from various sources. Considering the intertwining of oil and financial markets around the pandemic, the lessons and findings from the paper would not only be highly relevant for policymakers and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector but would be equally relevant for those in the financial markets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
23 pages, 4234 KiB  
Article
Sustainability Development: Assessment of Selected Indicators of Sustainable Energy Development in Poland and in Selected EU Member States Prior to COVID-19 and Following the Third Wave of COVID-19
by Anna Stankowska
Energies 2022, 15(6), 2135; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15062135 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1736
Abstract
An important question in the literature on climate change and sustainable development is the relationship between countries’ economic growth, household electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related economic restrictions, sustainable economic growth remains at the forefront of [...] Read more.
An important question in the literature on climate change and sustainable development is the relationship between countries’ economic growth, household electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related economic restrictions, sustainable economic growth remains at the forefront of the global development agenda. However, given the strong relationship between the ever increasing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas CO2 emissions, an increasing number of scientists have been questioning the feasibility of the planned emission reduction. In my research, I strove to determine whether there exists a relationship between the change in the structure of electricity consumption of households in selected EU Member States (15 countries), the impact of innovation, changes in electricity prices and economic growth, and CO2 emissions in 2007–2019, prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and following its third wave (2021). The aim of the article is to propose a synthetic index to assess the degree of sustainable energy development (SISED) in selected EU countries. Multiobjective decision analysis (MODA) was applied in order to assess the sustainable energy development of the selected European countries. Research findings may contribute to both literature and practice if they are applied by individual EU countries in the process of formulating directions aimed at achieving sustainable energy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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25 pages, 5153 KiB  
Article
Impacts of COVID-19 on Energy Expenditures of Local Self-Government Units in Poland
by Jacek Artur Strojny, Michał Stanisław Chwastek, Elżbieta Badach, Sławomir Jacek Lisek and Piotr Kacorzyk
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041583 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1685
Abstract
Measures taken by the public administration to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to drastic consequences for the economy. The full identification of its effects is hindered due to the delay in publishing the results of public statistics. The use [...] Read more.
Measures taken by the public administration to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to drastic consequences for the economy. The full identification of its effects is hindered due to the delay in publishing the results of public statistics. The use of financial reports prepared by self-government authorities of all municipalities in Poland made it possible to obtain preemptive information in relation to the public statistics regarding the impact of COVID-19-related limitations on the energy expenditures incurred by local government units (LGUs), as well as an assessment of to what extent the LGUs had rationalized the energy consumption. By contrast, data from reports of energy companies made it possible to determine the impact of restrictions arising from the pandemic on the amount of energy sold and revenues from sales made by these companies. The analyses use indexes of the dynamics of changes in energy prices as well as indexes of the dynamics of changes in energy expenditures incurred by LGUs. Additionally, distributions of these indexes for the populations of municipalities are analyzed. To assess the effect of economic activity on energy expenditures incurred by LGUs, classification trees are utilized. It is established that the total production and sales of energy in Poland, in volume, in each quarter of 2020 were lower than in the corresponding period of the preceding year. However, as a result of an increase in energy prices by approximately 25%, the sales of electric power generating companies, in amounts, were higher in 2020 than in 2019. The increase in energy prices was also a cause of slightly increased total expenditures for purchasing energy in LGUs in Poland, which increased by 2.15% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, a substantial diversity in expenditure indexes was observed. That concerned both total expenditures and expenditures within individual sections of the budgets of municipalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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18 pages, 2769 KiB  
Article
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Electromobility in Poland. The Perspective of Companies in the Transport-Shipping-Logistics Sector: A Case Study
by Janusz Figura and Teresa Gądek-Hawlena
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041461 - 16 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2351
Abstract
Negative processes occurring in the natural environment, under dynamic economy development, have become a factor for taking actions limiting destructive human activity. An important area in which initiatives are taken to improve the state of the natural environment is that of companies in [...] Read more.
Negative processes occurring in the natural environment, under dynamic economy development, have become a factor for taking actions limiting destructive human activity. An important area in which initiatives are taken to improve the state of the natural environment is that of companies in the Transport-Shipping-Logistics Sector (TSL sector). The main objective of this article was to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of electromobility among companies in the Polish TSL sector, and identify factors that positively influenced or hindered its development during this time. For this purpose, qualitative and quantitative data analyses were carried out based on a literature review, statistical data, and direct research results. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test of concordance, and contingency coefficients were used to process the data. The results showed that the pandemic period did not affect the development of electromobility among TSL companies. Only a few companies own electric cars in Poland. Many of them did not plan to purchase this type of vehicle during the pandemic. The main factors influencing the decisions of entrepreneurs during the study period were the availability of charging infrastructure and electricity price uncertainty. The results of the study can be used by stakeholders of this sector in Poland. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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20 pages, 312 KiB  
Article
In Search of Non-Obvious Relationships between Greenhouse Gas or Particulate Matter Emissions, Renewable Energy and Corruption
by Paweł Dec and Jacek Wysocki
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041347 - 13 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1501
Abstract
The article concerns the issue of the existence of non-obvious relationships and of potential correlations between the emission of greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM), renewable energy and corruption perceptions. Additionally, it analyses the possible impact of these above-mentioned connections on the economic, [...] Read more.
The article concerns the issue of the existence of non-obvious relationships and of potential correlations between the emission of greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM), renewable energy and corruption perceptions. Additionally, it analyses the possible impact of these above-mentioned connections on the economic, environmental and social situation in the context of further economic development, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and in relation to European countries. The issue of reducing dirty energy sources and corrupt activities is not only a problem considered at the state level, but it is very closely related to the operation of many private enterprises. The conducted research applied methods of desk research as well as comparative quantitative analyses and used extensive statistical data of most European Union member states as well as the United Kingdom and Norway. The ambiguity of the results obtained in the research does not allow for an explicit verification of the existence of relationships between corruption and the pro-ecological initiatives influencing the lower intensity of greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM) to the atmosphere or increasing share of renewable energy in the whole energy consumption. However, in many analysed cases it is possible to observe the occurrence of the indicated relationships, which, although not considered to be a rule, may give direction to further detailed research in this area, in particular in order to show the resulting beneficial or unfavourable implications for the performance and development of companies and the economy as a whole with rules of sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
28 pages, 1548 KiB  
Article
The Economic Effect of the Pandemic in the Energy Sector on the Example of Listed Energy Companies
by Edyta Rutkowska-Tomaszewska, Aleksandra Łakomiak and Marta Stanisławska
Energies 2022, 15(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010158 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2914
Abstract
The study posed a research question: did the situation caused by COVID-19 affect the economic position of energy companies? The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of the situation of the epidemic state introduced in 2020 on the activities of [...] Read more.
The study posed a research question: did the situation caused by COVID-19 affect the economic position of energy companies? The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of the situation of the epidemic state introduced in 2020 on the activities of the efficiency of energy sector companies. The subject of the research will be the ten largest Polish power plants in terms of electricity production, including four capital groups to which they belong. Financial data from 2014 to 2020 will be used for the research. To test the effectiveness, the tools of the ratio analysis will be used. The analysis of the financial statements in terms of investments in manufacturing activities confirms the hypothesis that companies investing in new solutions and technologies will be best prepared for an exceptional situation. The results of the research show that those capital groups which in the period preceding the outbreak of the epidemic made the largest investment outlays and at the same time their financial ratios and market valuation on the Warsaw Stock Exchange were the highest, they also achieved the highest financial results during the pandemic—they had the most favorable economic situation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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26 pages, 2599 KiB  
Article
Companies’ Stock Market Performance in the Time of COVID-19: Alternative Energy vs. Main Stock Market Sectors
by Michał Wielechowski and Katarzyna Czech
Energies 2022, 15(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010106 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3203
Abstract
The paper aims to detect the differences in stock market performance between companies from the alternative energy sector and main stock market sectors in the first and second years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Global Industry Classification Standard to analyse eleven main [...] Read more.
The paper aims to detect the differences in stock market performance between companies from the alternative energy sector and main stock market sectors in the first and second years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Global Industry Classification Standard to analyse eleven main stock market sectors and the alternative energy sector. Based on the one-factor variance analysis—ANOVA, we reveal the statistically significant differences between the analysed stock market sectors in both 2020 and 2021. The analysis implied that the performance of stock market companies during COVID-19 is sector-specific. Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test for pairwise comparison indicates that the alternative energy sector shows the most differentiation. Its average rate of return in 2020 is the highest and is significantly different for all eleven stock market sectors, while the top constituents from the conventional energy and financial sectors suffered the most. In 2021, a reverse trend in the stock prices can be observed. Companies from the conventional energy and financial sectors achieved the highest positive average weekly rates of return among all of the analysed stock market sectors, while the alternative energy sector performed significantly worse than the other sectors did. Nevertheless, throughout the entire analyses period of 2020–2021, the companies from the alternative energy sector turned out to be the biggest stock market beneficiaries. This study might imply that the COVID-19 pandemic has not hampered but has instead accelerated growing concerns about the environment and climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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24 pages, 1163 KiB  
Article
Development of Electromobility in European Union Countries under COVID-19 Conditions
by Tomasz Rokicki, Piotr Bórawski, Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska, Agata Żak and Grzegorz Koszela
Energies 2022, 15(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010009 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4557
Abstract
The introduction of electromobility contributes to an increase in energy efficiency and lower air pollution. European countries have not been among the world’s leading countries in this statistic. In addition, there have been different paces in the implementation of electromobility in individual countries. [...] Read more.
The introduction of electromobility contributes to an increase in energy efficiency and lower air pollution. European countries have not been among the world’s leading countries in this statistic. In addition, there have been different paces in the implementation of electromobility in individual countries. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the directions of change and the degrees of concentration in electromobility in European Union (EU) countries, especially after the economic closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objectives are to indicate the degree of concentration of electromobility in the EU and changes in this area, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic; to determine the dynamics of changes in the number of electric cars in individual EU countries, showing the variability in this aspect, while also taking into account the crisis caused by COVID-19; to establish the association between the number of electric cars and the parameters of the economy. All EU countries were selected for study by the use of the purposeful selection procedure, as of December 31, 2020. The analyzed period covered the years 2011–2020. It was found that in the longer term, the development of electromobility in the EU, measured by the number of electric cars, is closely related to the economic situation in this area. The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the economic situation in all EU countries, but has not slowed down the pace of introducing electromobility, and may have even accelerated it. In all EU countries, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dynamics of introducing electric cars into use increased. The growth rate in the entire EU in 2020 was 86%, while in 2019 it was 48%. The reason was a change in social behavior related to mobility under conditions of risk of infection. COVID-19 has become a positive catalyst for change. The prospects for the development of this type of transport are very good because activities related to the development of the electromobility sector perfectly match the needs related to the reduction of pollution to the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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27 pages, 6409 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Managerial Competences Transformation in the Polish Energy Industry
by Olga Pilipczuk
Energies 2021, 14(20), 6788; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206788 - 18 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2011
Abstract
Different technological, socio-economic, geopolitical, and demographic factors have a significant influence on labor markets. Currently, due to COVID-19, the global economy is in a challenging situation, and millions of people from different countries have lost their jobs. The employee’s mental health and well-being [...] Read more.
Different technological, socio-economic, geopolitical, and demographic factors have a significant influence on labor markets. Currently, due to COVID-19, the global economy is in a challenging situation, and millions of people from different countries have lost their jobs. The employee’s mental health and well-being are in risk conditions. In the coming years, the Polish energy sector will face several transformations. Emerging technologies are intended to deal with the problems in energy management. One of the main industry forces is human capital, people who will be able to project and manage the innovative technologies. Thus, this paper examines the determinants of managerial competences transformation in the energy industry from the labor market perspective. The paper fulfills the research gap in the energy manager profession’s transformation in Poland. The aim of the paper was to present the current state of the energy manager profession in Poland. Two methodological approaches were used: the theoretical and practical approaches. Descriptive statistics are provided to present the labor market research results. The findings of the research can contribute to the literature and practice by applying them in the process of developing energy manager competency models, as well as in education programs and training courses for enterprises and universities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Energy Sector)
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