Assessing the potential and costs of reducing energy demand

Abstract

Determining the cost of energy saving measures and the magnitude of their potential application is the first and essential step to correctly design energy efficiency policies, which are in turn a keystone for energy transitions. This is particularly relevant for MENA countries, which feature energy intensities among the highest in the world. This paper presents a methodology for assessing reductions in energy demand based on expert evaluations; the methodology incorporates several improvements over previous similar studies. Our results suggest a significant potential for energy savings, and recommend different policy designs based on the different costs and potentials of different energy saving measures.