In 2022, nearly 9.3% of EU citizens, approximately 42 million people, faced the harsh reality of energy poverty, struggling to keep their homes adequately warm. According to Eurostat’s June 2023 report, this situation worsened in recent months due to surging energy prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To address this alarming issue, Baiba Miltoviča, President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure, and the Information Society (TEN), emphasized the urgent need for a new deal with strong political will, fostering collaboration among local, national, and European authorities.
COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY
The EESC proposes a comprehensive strategy to combat energy poverty, which includes implementing inflation control mechanisms and reforming the electricity market. By prioritizing energy-saving measures and efficiency initiatives, the EU aims to permanently reduce energy demand. Renewables also play a crucial role in this approach, and increased investment in renewable energy sources is seen as pivotal for sustainable solutions. Furthermore, improving housing energy efficiency through enhanced building renovations is essential to address the root causes of energy poverty.
One of the EESC’s primary goals is to streamline procedures for accessing EU funding at the local level, providing additional financial resources to combat energy poverty effectively. Moreover, the committee highlights the importance of mainstreaming transport poverty and energy poverty among women in all energy-related policy measures.
The key issue at the core of this challenge is ensuring equitable access to essential energy services and products. Energy should be regarded as a fundamental public service rather than just a commodity. Andrés Barceló Delgado, President of the EESC Permanent Group on Energy, emphasizes the need for the upcoming redesign of the electricity market to guarantee both a reliable and sustainable energy supply and citizens’ right to access energy.
