Unfolding the spatial spillover effects of urbanization on interregional energy connectivity: Evidence from province-level data

China has exhibited an active attitude with regard to abating global climate change. To analyze the effect of economy development and urbanization quality on interregional energy transmissions against a backdrop of new-type urbanization, this study integrated MRIO model, complex network method, and spatial autocorrelation analysis to systematically analyze the spatiality and spillover effects of interregional energy connections. The results show that the interregional energy connectivity was spatially dependent whilst urban-rural income ratios and population structures were statistically significant in the national-level spatial econometric analysis. Specifically, a regional-level spatial regression analysis demonstrated that population structure, education level, the energy connectivity of other regions, and the income-expenditure ratios of other regions were four determinants that were significant in eastern, central, and western areas. Structural optimization is a key direction for future energy reduction nationwide. This study shed light on the current spillover effects of energy connective intensity, which is beneficial for making stratified and fair energy reduction policies at the regional level.