Abstract
Data elements, as a new type of production factor, inject new momentum into enhancing urban energy efficiency and hold significant importance for achieving China's energy conservation, emission reduction, and green development goals. Based on panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2023, this study empirically examines the relationship between data element agglomeration and urban energy efficiency using a multi-period difference-in-differences model. The findings reveal that data element agglomeration significantly enhances urban energy efficiency. Mechanism tests indicate that data element agglomeration improves urban energy efficiency by promoting energy-saving technological progress and optimizing energy allocation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of data element agglomeration on urban energy efficiency is more pronounced in cities where officials have long-term performance perspectives, environmental regulations are stringent, and in resource-based cities. Further analysis demonstrates that data element agglomeration has a positive spatial spillover effect on urban energy efficiency, with the optimal spillover range observed within 200KM to 650KM from the city. This study provides important insights for governments to improve data element institutions and formulate energy conservation and emission reduction policies.