Addressing Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers in the Energy Sector Across the EU

Abstract

Distribution électronique Cairn.info pour Centre international de formation européenne. © Centre international de formation européenne. Tous droits réservés pour tous pays.La reproduction ou représentation de cet article, notamment par photocopie, n'est autorisée que dans les limites des conditions générales d'utilisation du site ou, le cas échéant, des conditions générales de la licence souscrite par votre établissement. Toute autre reproduction ou représentation, en tout ou partie, sous quelque forme et de quelque manière que ce soit, est interdite sauf accord préalable et écrit de l'éditeur, en dehors des cas prévus par la législation en vigueur en France. Il est précisé que son stockage dans une base de données est également interdit.

Implications and Measurement of Energy Poverty across the European Union

“…A report published for the benefit of the European Commission in 2015 by a European think tank provides a useful review of energy poverty and vulnerable energy consumer issues across the EU [36]. Building on the significant, but somewhat divergent body of research on the topic, the INSIGHT_E report provides a list of indicators that have been or that could be used in order to gauge the extent of the energy poverty phenomenon within EU member states.…”

“…Thus, any assessment of the energy needs for households should also take into consideration the cost of keeping homes cool during the summer. Pye, et al [36] are also in favor of using this type of indicator in energy poverty studies given that "Southern European Countries have been experiencing frequent heat wave events in the summer time which seem to be responsible for mortality rate growth among low income households and vulnerable people".…”

Energy Poverty Policies at the EU Level

“…This has been primarily achieved via the co-ordination of a project aimed at investigating the policies and measures currently in place to protect 'vulnerable consumers' in the energy sector across the EU (Pye et al, 2015). In addition to discussing the multiple meanings and understandings of vulnerability, this document emphasizes that many measures are being implemented across Member States, focused both on vulnerable consumers and on energy poverty.…”

Energy poverty in Romania –drivers, effects and possible measures to reduce its effects and number of people affected

“…The vulnerability of energy consumer is described related to its inability to access energy, for different reasons: difficulty in paying bills, risk of interruption and disconnection, lack of adequate information etc. (Pye et al, 2015). A vulnerable consumer is typically a person with low income, elderly and / or with a disability or illness.…”