Economic growth, electricity consumption and foreign dependence in italy between 1963-2007

The energy sector is assuming an increasing importance in the global economy. As a consequence, there is a vast literature on the causal relation between energy use and others economic variables. In this article, the relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth for Italy using yearly data covering the period 1963-2007 is investigated. Unlike previous works, this article specifically concerns the causal link between the dynamics of gross domestic product and the use of electricity from different sources of production. Regarding dependence from foreign suppliers, the article tests the hypothesis of a causal relationship between economic growth and electricity imports. The results show a unidirectional causality from economic activity to other variables. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.