Lessons Learnt and Policy Implications from Implementing the POWERPOOR Approach to Alleviate Energy Poverty
Eleni Kanellou, Arthur Hinsch, Veljko Vorkapić, Alis-Daniela Torres, Γεώργιος Κωνσταντόπουλος, Nektarios Matsagkos, Haris Doukas
Abstract
Energy poverty is a multifaceted phenomenon that affects many Europeans. Alleviating energy poverty is high in the EU, national, and local policy agendas. Despite the attention the phenomenon has been gaining from a policy perspective, especially after the current energy crisis, there are still some gaps due to the complexity of the issue and its vastly different manifestations across Europe. This manuscript presents the policy implications stemming from the implementation of the POWEPROOR approach in alleviating energy poverty in eight European countries, as co-created with relevant stakeholders in each country. The knowledge gained from empowering energy-poor citizens by promoting behavioural changes and small-scale energy efficiency interventions, as well as by encouraging the uptake of renewable energy sources in the form of collective energy initiatives while leveraging innovative financing schemes, resulted in policy recommendations for national and sub-national governments and lessons for civil society and the private sector.