Purpose /SignificanceThis paper analyzes spatial energy consumption differences in three major regions in China and their influencing factors, and proposes corresponding policy suggestions.

Method/ProcessFirst, it uses dispersion index to decompose the difference in per capita energy consumption among thirty provinces, autonomous and municipalities in China, and the differences within regions. Next, it applies structural decomposition model to analyze impact of GDP per capita, comprehensive energy consumption of 10, 000 yuan of industrial output value and industrialization rate on the spatial difference of energy consumption.

Result/ConclusionResults show that spatial difference of per capita energy consumption mainly comes from the differences within the three regions. GDP per capita could interpret more than 50% of spatial difference of energy consumption, and the contribution rate of the three influencing factors to the regional internal energy consumption difference changes dynamically with time. Based on conclusions, it is critical to balance differences within regions to alleviate spatial differences of energy consumption, and narrow spatial differences from aspects such as supervision, policy guidance, and structural adjustment.