Energy costs and export competitiveness: evidence from Australian industries

Date published:
1 June 2016

The Energy Costs and Export competitiveness research paper aims to inform energy policy design by providing evidence on whether energy:

  • price rises drive industries to improve energy efficiency
  • costs impact the ability of industries to compete in international markets.

The paper:

  • provides an overview of the different aspects of energy used to test the energy-competitiveness relationship
  • establishes estimates for the price elasticity of different energy intensities
  • asks whether there is an energy efficiency response to energy price changes in Australia
  • explores whether energy costs or energy intensity levels have an impact on the export competitiveness of Australian industries.

Authors: Mathew Horne and Claire Reynolds