Abstract
In this paper, trends in the energy consumption structure of urban households in China are analyzed over two decades, using the China Family Income and Expenditure Survey from 1981 to 2000. The yearly trends consist of three elements: effective energy consumption per capita, energy efficiency, and population size. The underlying factors that affect these trends, such as change of life style, income levels, and fuel switching are also considered. The total energy consumption of this sector increased from 1166 PJ/year in 1981 to 2527 PJ/year in 2000. The trend in average energy consumption saw a decrease from 5.78GJ/year·capita in 1981 to 5.50 GJ/year·capita in 2000, but the effective energy consumption increased from 1.55GJ/ year·capita in 1981 to 2.81GJ/year·capita in 2000. Averaged energy efficiency increased from 27% in 1981 to 51% in 2000. In 2000 47% of total energy consumption was from coal, 15% from LPG, 9% from city-gas and, 19% from electricity, of this 44% was used for space heating, and 39% for cooking and hot water supply. In part-II of this paper a regional (provincial) analysis is undertaken.
