What is the role of energy communities in tackling energy poverty? Measures, barriers and potential in the Netherlands

Abstract

Energy poverty has become a growing concern. Energy communities have been highlighted to be key enablers to facilitate a just energy transition. However, energy poverty and energy communities have mostly been treated in relative isolation from each other. This study sets to unravel the specificities of energy communities' energy poverty alleviation approaches and barriers faced. The Netherlands is selected as a case due to a doubling of energy communities over the past decade and, as in the whole of Europe, growing concern about energy poverty. A survey is developed to appraise energy communities' (lack of) engagement in tackling energy poverty with n = 196. Using an ordinal logistic model, the self-reported effectiveness of approaches of energy communities in addressing energy poverty is assessed. Key results are that 52 % of energy communities address energy poverty, predominantly through providing advice, financial support and small energy efficiency measures. The largest barriers are identifying and reaching households in energy poverty, and lack of financial and human resource capacities. This study concludes that energy communities have potential to address energy poverty because of their capacity for citizen engagement and, in some cases, their financial support to vulnerable households. Future research is recommended to scrutinise the potential of energy communities to contribute to energy poverty alleviation as part of a local governance arrangement of partners. Insights from this study on implications for energy community movements and policy makers can also be valuable for other countries facing energy poverty challenges.