Exploring energy poverty in Greece: Evidence from primary surveys

Nikolas M. KatsoulakosMechanical Engineer, PhD, MSc

National Technical University of AthensMetsovion Interdisciplinary Research Center

Advances in fuel poverty research and practice: a pan-European early career

researcher symposium

Manchester, 20 September 2016

Why and what

Some effects of the economic crisis in Greece: 30-40% average decrease in households’ income Great increases in fuel prices (up to 200%), due to high taxation

Difficulties in sufficient coverage of energy needs

It is necessary to determine the dimensions of the problem

Three primary surveys were conducted: Throughout the whole country Among mountainous municipalities In a certain mountainous town, Metsovo

Need to focus on mountainous areas

Mountains are the geographical backbone of the country (70% of its territory is mountainous)

Mountain societies are vulnerable to energy poverty, due to cold climatic conditions and lower incomes

Indicative results

Three out of four households in Greece have reduced other expenses, in order to cover their thermal energy needs

45% of mountainous residences face dump problems due to insufficient heating

In the town of Metsovo, the share of diesel oil based systems has fallen from 72% (2009) to 47% (2015) and people use firewood boilers and stoves

20% of the households in Greece report health problems due to insufficient heating

Only 26% of the Greek households have applied energy saving interventions

85% of the houses in Metsovo do not have any thermal insulation, at all

The dimensions of energy poverty in Greece

The population is highly exposed to energy poverty, especially in mountainous areas

Some details

Strong correlation, statistically significant, has been proved to exist between:

Energy poverty and climatic conditions (in the coldest climatic zone of Greece the percentage of energy poor households is 83%) Energy poverty and income (42% of the energy poor have annual income less than 11,000 euros) Energy poverty and restriction of other expenses (80% of energy poor households have restricted other expenses)

Conclusions

The surveys regarding energy poverty in Greece: Provided a better understanding of the

problem in the country Provided certain documentation for several

issues (that seemed obvious, but were not concretely proved)

The economic crisis sets major obstacles to sufficient coverage of energy needs to the households

Mountainous areas are particularly exposed A national policy should be developed and

energy efficiency has to be a core part of it