A Study of the Impact of Information & Communication Technology on Energy Consumption Intensity in Iran (A Provincial Approach)

In todaychr('39')s world, given limited fossil fuel resources and growing population, it is imperative to consider energy efficiency. In this regard, due to the spread of information and communication technology, using its capabilities to reduce energy consumption & intensity is worth consideration.  In this study we assess the effect of Information and communications technology on energy intensity in Iranian provinces during the period 2008-2017, using panel data techniques and generalized method of moments (GMM). The results show that ICT deployment has a negative and significant impact on energy intensity in Iran’s provinces. However, this effect is different among developed and less- developed provinces. The results imply that information and communication technology does not have significant effect on energy intensity in less- developed provinces. Besides,  relative energy prices and real per capita income have a negative and significant effect and number of vehicles, employment rate, and air temperature have a positive and significant effect on energy intensity. ‎: Information and Communication Technology‌) ‌ICT), energy intensity Index,‎‌) ‌ICT) ‎Development Index.‎ JEL Classification: D83 ،Q43، R11، O14