Measurement and dynamic evolution patterns of the coordinated development of provincial energy digitalization and greening in China

The coordinated development of energy digitalization and greening (referred to as "dual transformation") is an essential pathway for optimizing energy systems through digital technologies to achieve high-quality development and carbon reduction in the context of climate change. Based on an in-depth analysis of the theoretical logic of coordinated energy dual transformation, this study constructed an indicator system to measure the progress of energy digitalization and greening. We employed the G1-entropy weight method and coupled coordination model to assess the coordinated development across 30 Chinese provinces from 2013 to 2022. Additionally, the study used the Dagum Gini coefficient, Kernel density estimation, and Markov chain model to analyze regional disparities and dynamic evolution. Results reveal that the coordinated development in energy dual transformation had been gradually improved, exhibiting a declining distribution pattern from eastern to central and western regions. The eastern and the central-western regions exhibited an explicit gap, and internal disparities within the eastern region showed a widening trend. On this account, this study proposed policy recommendations such as accelerating the development of key technologies and new infrastructure, establishing cross-regional and cross-departmental energy data-sharing platforms, and improving market-oriented incentive mechanisms. These suggestions aim to foster new quality productive forces and provide decision-making references for achieving high-quality energy development.