Multidimensional energy poverty in Colombia: A department-level review from 2018 to 2022

Abstract

This article aims to measure energy poverty in Colombia in its thirty-two departments and its capital city from 2018 to 2022, using a composite approach. To achieve this, a Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) was designed, according to the methodology proposed by Nussbaumer et al. (2012; 2013) [1,2]. Twenty-eight variables were used, which were distributed across seven dimensions, and recorded by the National Quality of Life Survey (ECV, Spanish acronym), administered by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) of Colombia. In addition, a nested weighting method was used to assign weights within the index. Subjective weights were given to the dimensions, and an entropy method was used for each of the component variables. The results show that energy poverty has an increasing trend in Colombia throughout the period, especially in the municipal capitals. There are significant differences between urban and rural areas in all territories, and the departments located in the most remote areas of the country have a higher energy poverty. This is consistent with the low population density, as well as with off-grid areas. The results obtained will allow decision makers to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the management and effects of the specific public policy programs and plans that have been implemented in the different territories of the country.