Assessing the Level of Energy Poverty Using a Synthetic Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index in EU Countries

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyse the level of energy poverty in the EU member states for the period 2010–2020. The research was carried out on the basis of the author’s Synthetic Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index created on the basis of the zero-unitarization method. The proposed index allowed for the integration of 4 out of 13 indicators provided for the study of energy poverty in the Recommendation of the European Commission 2020, and 1 selected by the authors. The assessment of changes in the level of energy poverty over time in 24 EU countries using the method used adds value compared to the assessment methods used so far in this area. Previous studies of energy poverty levels have focused on individual countries or small groups of countries. Rarely have such studies covered the majority of EU countries, and even more rarely have they been conducted over a long period of time. The study carried out showed significant differences in energy poverty levels among EU members. Results obtained not only reflect the progress of member countries in reducing energy poverty, but also allow for a discussion on future approaches regarding its reduction.

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“…These reversals were pursued due to the ever-increasing prices of energy and excessive profiteering by energy suppliers, many of which were often offshore companies (Whitfield 2017;Whitfield 2016). There is a consensus among researchers, governments, and civil society organisations that the causes of energy poverty include high energy prices, energy-inefficient housing stock, and low incomes (Kryk and Guzowska 2023). Many countries, especially those in Europe, have prioritised home improvements to increase energy efficiency as the first line of defence against energy poverty.…”

“…In the EU, energy poverty is on the rise and is particularly widespread in Eastern, Central, and Southern Europe (Bouzarovski 2014). About 50 million people were reported to be experiencing energy poverty in 2018 (Gangale and Mengolini 2019), and the number is expected to rise as a result of the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict (Kryk and Guzowska 2023). The situation is reported to have worsened in Spain between 2005 and 2016 (Aristondo and Onaindia 2018).…”

“…In Canada, energy poverty is reported to affect about 19% of the population, with houses built pre-1960 being the most vulnerable (Riva et al 2021). It is reported that energy poverty is on the rise in Europe (CEB 2019); an assessment of the phenomenon in 24 European countries in 2010-2020 found that energy poverty had increased in 13 EU countries (Kryk and Guzowska 2023). In sub-Saharan Africa, the issue has to do with access rather than energy poverty.…”

“…Globally, energy poverty is reported to be on the rise and exacerbated in the European Union due to its current economic crisis (Castaño-Rosa et al 2019) and the on-going Russia-Ukraine war (Kryk and Guzowska 2023;Kyprianou et al 2023). The story is not much different in Australia (KPMG 2017) or even in the USA (EIA 2018).…”

“…The story is not much different in Australia (KPMG 2017) or even in the USA (EIA 2018). There seems to be a consensus on the causes of energy poverty to include poorly insulated or inefficient homes, low income, and high energy prices (PHE 2014;Okushima 2016;DBEIS 2017;Guertler and Smith 2018;Kryk and Guzowska 2023;Kyprianou et al 2023). However, there is a dearth of studies linking energy poverty to the so-called energy reforms in the form of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) or the privatisation of the last three decades.…”