Energy poverty assessment and the impact of Covid-19: An empirical analysis of Colombia

The reduction of energy poverty plays an important role in achieving three of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action. This article contributes to the literature through its integrated application of economic and engineering approaches to energy poverty assessment. The article develops an energy poverty assessment approach centred on four steps: (i) descriptive statistics; (ii) Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI); (iii) energy ladder; and (iv) econometric assessment. The approach is applied to a large data sample for rural and urban areas of Colombia and results show correlations between income level, socioeconomic status, choice of cooking energy source and education level. The correlations are analysed with data from before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The energy poverty assessment approach can be applied in developed and developing countries by researchers and experts creating knowledge for policymakers. From the Colombian case it is established that energy policy should target advancing even further along the energy ladder towards clean, affordable, and safe energy combined with appropriate renewable energy sources.