Although the worst of the energy crisis of a few years ago is now over, energy poverty remains high, reaching 10.6% in the EU. This figure represents the percentage of the population that admits to not being able to keep their home warm enough in winter. The Spanish and Portuguese have the most problems. 20.8% say they have difficulty reaching the right temperature, double the European average.
Bulgaria, with 20.7%, and Lithuania, with 20%, come next in this ranking. On the contrary, only 2.1% in Luxembourg, 2.6% in Finland, 3.6% in Slovenia and 3.9% in Austria have this problem, which are the countries with the lowest percentages, according to the report published on the energy situation in the EU. this Tuesday by the European Commission. The overall figure increased by 1.3 points in 2023 compared to the previous year and the community government attributes this to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
To combat energy poverty, Brussels has launched the Social Climate Fund from 2024, which will mobilise some €86.7 billion. “The Fund will finance measures and investments that Member States will integrate into their Social Climate Plans by June 2025 and should help to offset the expected increase in energy bills due to the introduction of carbon pricing for heating and transport,” the report notes.
The European Commission also hopes that the electricity market reform agreed a few months ago will help alleviate this situation. “The new energy market legislation will better protect vulnerable households and those affected by energy poverty from disconnection,” the report says, recalling that “in the event of a natural gas price crisis, emergency measures at EU government level” can help protect consumers by intervening on price caps. “Member States can also act to ensure access to essential services and protect vulnerable consumers from excessive costs, thereby directly combating energy poverty,” it adds.
The war in Ukraine led to the breakup of the EU with Russia, from which it has tried to energetically disconnect itself as much as possible. However, 18% of imports still come from this country, although this has decreased from 45% in 2022.
