Renewable energy and energy efficiency: European regional policy and the role of financial instruments

The study aimed to evaluate whether the regional funds allocated for energy efficiency and renewable energy are related to the quantity of air pollutants discharged and the stage of regional development, and whether the evidence of convergence of regional levels of renewable energy electricity generation can be provided. A comparative analysis of financial instrument implementation within regional programmes was conducted, with a particular focus on instruments dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency and utilising renewable energy. To verify the research hypotheses, statistical coefficients of correlation and concentration, along with trend and econometric models were applied. The findings have confirmed the rise in regional funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy, along with the growing importance of financial instruments in transforming the energy sector. The hypotheses that air pollutant emissions per unit of GDP generated are decreasing, there exists a regional convergence of renewable energy production per capita, and the spatial accumulation of renewable energy production is declining, have been confirmed. No correlation was found between the regional economic development and the level of funds allocated to energy efficiency and renewable energy. The lack of such relationships provides a convincing argument for appropriate state regulation.