Assessment of energy poverty in Andalusian municipalities. Application of a combined indicator to detect priorities

Abstract

This study aims to assess the energy poverty risk in the municipalities in Andalusia (Spain) to know their existing differences to prioritise the aids in the municipalities with greater needs. For this purpose, a composed indicator is developed. This new indicator is based on the so-called High Energy Requirements (HER) index, where proxy indicators related to the building energy efficiency are joint and where climate severity indicators, together with the income conditions and the gender gap of the population, are included. This new indicator assesses energy poverty globally, joining the indicators related to the characteristics of the dwelling stock with other factors related to energy poverty, such as monetary poverty or gender gap. The results are analysed at a municipal level, so the cases with greater problems both in general terms and those particularly from partial aspects (such as the conservation state or the type of climate) are identified. This characterisation of the phenomenon allows the most appropriate policies to be identified according to the indicators presenting the most unfavourable values, thus constituting a useful tool to prioritise and to implement measures adapted to each municipality’s needs.