Page 35 - European Energy Innovation magazine - autumn 2022 edition

Autumn 2022 European Energy Innovation 35
High energy prices – how municipalities ENERGY POVERTY

are alleviating energy poverty

voucher is given to citizens who are
identified to be energy poor who municipalities own and manage
social housing.
By Arthur Hinsch, Sustainable Resources, Climate and Resilience Officer, ICLEI Europe then benefit from reductions in their
energy costs. However, establishing The capacity of municipalities to
an energy poverty alleviation office tackle energy poverty effectively
can be a challenge for municipalities varies across the EU, as there are
due to personnel and technical various governance structures,
equipment. As part of the EU-funded varying degrees of expertise, available
POWERPOOR project supporting funds and political commitment.
energy poor citizens through joint For navigating the complexity of
initiatives, the energy poverty challenges, but also opportunities
alleviation offices of the Municipality offered by local approaches on
of Messini and the Municipality of this topic, the POWERPOOR Energy
Souli have been equipped with multi- Poverty Guidebook sheds light on
functional environment testers, which how municipalities can integrate
can be used during home visits to energy poverty into their local climate
identify the living conditions of those & energy planning. An important
struggling with paying their energy piece of the puzzle that could make
bills. the difference in terms of delivery
in energy poverty alleviation, is the
Energy communities also offer a great partnerships with the private sector
solution to boost local renewable which can support local governments
energy production, while engaging in filling the gaps when resources are
citizens in the energy transition and lacking.
alleviating energy poverty at the
same time, and municipalities are As a part of the Sustainable Energy
starting to increasingly tap into this Week (EUSEW) an event shedding
potential. A good example of this can light on this topic will take place
be seen in the City of Porto, which is titled “1 Municipality – 1 REC, can it be
committed to tackling energy poverty done?”, on Fri 30 September 8:30-
citizens living in the city’s social 14:00 CEST in Brussels. l
housing. The energy community in
approach and what immediate steps the “Agra do Amial” neighborhood
they can undertake to improve their is located within a micro-area of
situation. This is where municipal eight apartment blocks and a public
Energy Poverty Alleviation Offices school. Electricity will be generated
have a huge role to play and are being from PV panels installed on the roofs
set up slowly, but steadily in cities and consumed within the community,
around Europe. Such offices can with any excess being sold to
directly support vulnerable citizens the grid. This renewable energy
by providing a contact point as well community (REC) will involve 181
as advice on no-regret, low-cost families as well as young consumers
energy efficiency interventions. The and will provide rebates on the
City of Barcelona, with a concrete household’s electricity bills. Within
target for eradicating energy poverty the first five years, the electricity
by 2030, has successfully set up a generated will be supplied to the
number of Energy Advice Points in members of the community. After
an effort to protect people’s energy that, the locally produced electricity
rights. Since 2016, they have helped will be supplied to the members of
over 90.000 families and halted the community at a lower rate than
energy supply cut-offs in 65.000 from traditional suppliers. There is
cases. The City Council of Vitoria- a large potential for transferability
Gasteiz has developed and officially within the City of Porto and to other
incorporated a social voucher into municipalities in Portugal due to the
the city’s Sustainable Energy & relevance of energy poverty overall
Climate Action Plan (SECAP). The in the country and the fact that all

www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu