IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/enepol/v183y2023ics0301421523004032.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding energy poverty drivers in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Cheikh, Nidhaleddine
  • Ben Zaied, Younes
  • Nguyen, Duc Khuong

Abstract

This paper tackles the issue of energy poverty in an attempt to identify the key factors that would enhance the affordability of energy services. We implement a set of recent panel data techniques which enable us to capture the presence of regime shifts and time-varying relationships between energy poverty and its main drivers. Using annual data from 25 European countries over the period 2006–2019, we point out the prominent role of income level and energy price in determining access to adequate and affordable energy. This outcome depends on the degree of income inequality, the energy efficiency, and the energy transition underway. Better income distribution among households and efficient use of energy resources would alleviate energy poverty. Nevertheless, policymakers would have to pay more attention to the cost of energy transition to not worsen household access to energy services.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Cheikh, Nidhaleddine & Ben Zaied, Younes & Nguyen, Duc Khuong, 2023. "Understanding energy poverty drivers in Europe," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:183:y:2023:i:c:s0301421523004032
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113818
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421523004032
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113818?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hansen, Lars Peter, 1982. "Large Sample Properties of Generalized Method of Moments Estimators," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 50(4), pages 1029-1054, July.
    2. Euan Phimister, Esperanza Vera-Toscano and Deborah Roberts, 2015. "The Dynamics of Energy Poverty: Evidence from Spain," Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 1).
    3. Isabelle Cadoret & Véronique Thelen, 2020. "Précarité énergétique en Europe : existe-t-il une relation de Kuznets ?," Post-Print hal-02888461, HAL.
    4. Rodriguez-Alvarez, Ana & Llorca, Manuel & Jamasb, Tooraj, 2021. "Alleviating energy poverty in Europe: Front-runners and laggards," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    5. Hansen, Bruce E., 1999. "Threshold effects in non-dynamic panels: Estimation, testing, and inference," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 93(2), pages 345-368, December.
    6. Barkat, Karim & Alsamara, Mouyad & Mimouni, Karim, 2023. "Can remittances alleviate energy poverty in developing countries? New evidence from panel data," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Ahlborg, Helene & Boräng, Frida & Jagers, Sverker C. & Söderholm, Patrik, 2015. "Provision of electricity to African households: The importance of democracy and institutional quality," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 125-135.
    8. Crentsil, Aba Obrumah & Asuman, Derek & Fenny, Ama Pokuaa, 2019. "Assessing the determinants and drivers of multidimensional energy poverty in Ghana," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    9. Degui Li & Jia Chen & Jiti Gao, 2011. "Non‐parametric time‐varying coefficient panel data models with fixed effects," Econometrics Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 14(3), pages 387-408, October.
    10. Guowei Cui & Milda NorkutÄ— & Vasilis Sarafidis & Takashi Yamagata, 2022. "Two-stage instrumental variable estimation of linear panel data models with interactive effects [Eigenvalue ratio test for the number of factors]," The Econometrics Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 25(2), pages 340-361.
    11. Ben Cheikh, Nidhaleddine & Ben Zaied, Younes & Saidi, Sana & Sellami, Mohamed, 2022. "Global pandemic crisis and risk contagion in GCC stock markets," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 746-761.
    12. Zhang, Tong & Shi, Xunpeng & Zhang, Dayong & Xiao, Junji, 2019. "Socio-economic development and electricity access in developing economies: A long-run model averaging approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 223-231.
    13. Seo, Myung Hwan & Shin, Yongcheol, 2016. "Dynamic panels with threshold effect and endogeneity," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 195(2), pages 169-186.
    14. Akpalu, Wisdom & Dasmani, Isaac & Aglobitse, Peter B., 2011. "Demand for cooking fuels in a developing country: To what extent do taste and preferences matter?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 6525-6531, October.
    15. Cheikh, Nidhaleddine Ben & Zaied, Younes Ben, 2023. "Investigating the dynamics of crude oil and clean energy markets in times of geopolitical tensions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    16. Banerjee, Rajabrata & Mishra, Vinod & Maruta, Admasu Asfaw, 2021. "Energy poverty, health and education outcomes: Evidence from the developing world," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    17. Drescher, Katharina & Janzen, Benedikt, 2021. "Determinants, persistence, and dynamics of energy poverty: An empirical assessment using German household survey data," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    18. Thomson, Harriet & Snell, Carolyn, 2013. "Quantifying the prevalence of fuel poverty across the European Union," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 563-572.
    19. Lin, Boqiang & Omoju, Oluwasola E. & Okonkwo, Jennifer U., 2016. "Factors influencing renewable electricity consumption in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 687-696.
    20. Halkos, George E. & Gkampoura, Eleni-Christina, 2021. "Evaluating the effect of economic crisis on energy poverty in Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    21. Ben Cheikh, Nidhaleddine & Ben Zaied, Younes & Ben Ameur, Hachmi, 2023. "Recent developments in exchange rate pass-through: What have we learned from uncertain times?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    22. Acheampong, Alex O. & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Dzator, Janet & Jiao, Zhilun, 2022. "Effects of income inequality and governance on energy poverty alleviation: Implications for sustainable development policy," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    23. Okushima, Shinichiro, 2017. "Gauging energy poverty: A multidimensional approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 1159-1166.
    24. Nguyen, Canh Phuc & Nasir, Muhammad Ali, 2021. "An inquiry into the nexus between energy poverty and income inequality in the light of global evidence," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    25. Galvin, Ray & Sunikka-Blank, Minna, 2018. "Economic Inequality and Household Energy Consumption in High-income Countries: A Challenge for Social Science Based Energy Research," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 78-88.
    26. repec:aen:journl:eeep4_1_phimister is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ren, Zhiyuan & Zhu, Yuhan & Jin, Canyang & Xu, Aiting, 2023. "Social capital and energy poverty: Empirical evidence from China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    2. Barbara Kryk & Malgorzata K. Guzowska, 2023. "Assessing the Level of Energy Poverty Using a Synthetic Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index in EU Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-31, January.
    3. Lan, Jing & Khan, Sufyan Ullah & Sadiq, Muhammad & Chien, Fengsheng & Baloch, Zulfiqar Ali, 2022. "Evaluating energy poverty and its effects using multi-dimensional based DEA-like mathematical composite indicator approach: Findings from Asia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    4. Simionescu, Mihaela & Radulescu, Magdalena & Cifuentes-Faura, Javier & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, 2023. "The role of renewable energy policies in TACKLING energy poverty in the European UNION," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    5. Magdalena Cyrek & Piotr Cyrek, 2022. "Rural Specificity as a Factor Influencing Energy Poverty in European Union Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Dorothee Charlier and Sondes Kahouli, 2019. "From Residential Energy Demand to Fuel Poverty: Income-induced Non-linearities in the Reactions of Households to Energy Price Fluctuations," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 2).
    7. Muhammad Shafiullah & Zhilun Jiao & Muhammad Shahbaz & Kangyin Dong, 2023. "Examining energy poverty in Chinese households: An Engel curve approach," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(1), pages 149-184, March.
    8. Moteng, Ghislain & Raghutla, Chandrashekar & Njangang, Henri & Nembot, Luc Ndeffo, 2023. "International sanctions and energy poverty in target developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    9. Djeunankan, Ronald & Njangang, Henri & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2023. "Remittances and energy poverty: Fresh evidence from developing countries," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    10. Dong, Kangyin & Dou, Yue & Jiang, Qingzhe, 2022. "Income inequality, energy poverty, and energy efficiency: Who cause who and how?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    11. Bagnoli, Lisa & Bertoméu-Sánchez, Salvador, 2022. "How effective has the electricity social rate been in reducing energy poverty in Spain?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    12. Okere, Kingsley Ikechukwu & Dimnwobi, Stephen Kelechi & Ekesiobi, Chukwunonso & Onuoha, Favour Chidinma, 2023. "Turning the tide on energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: Does public debt matter?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    13. Zhao, Jun & Dong, Kangyin & Dong, Xiucheng & Shahbaz, Muhammad, 2022. "How renewable energy alleviate energy poverty? A global analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 299-311.
    14. Chiara Grazini, 2023. "La poverta' energetica come privazione delle capacita' (Energy poverty as capabilities deprivation)," Moneta e Credito, Economia civile, vol. 76(301), pages 3-25.
    15. Wang, Yao & Lin, Boqiang, 2022. "Can energy poverty be alleviated by targeting the low income? Constructing a multidimensional energy poverty index in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    16. Chiara Certomà & Filippo Corsini & Marina Di Giacomo & Marco Guerrazzi, 2023. "Beyond Income and Inequality: The Role of Socio-political Factors for Alleviating Energy Poverty in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 167-208, September.
    17. Zhao, Yujia & Shuai, Jing & Wang, Chaofan & Shuai, Chuanmin & Cheng, Xin & Wang, Yilan & Zhang, Zumeng & Ding, Liping & Zhu, Yongguang & Zhou, Na, 2023. "Do the photovoltaic poverty alleviation programs alleviate local energy poverty? —Empirical evidence of 9 counties in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    18. Dorothée Charlier & Sondès Kahouli, 2018. "Fuel poverty and residential energy demand: how fuel-poor households react to energy price fluctuations," Post-Print halshs-01957771, HAL.
    19. Aristondo, Oihana & Onaindia, Eneritz, 2018. "Inequality of energy poverty between groups in Spain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 431-442.
    20. Fry, Jane M. & Farrell, Lisa & Temple, Jeromey B., 2022. "Energy poverty and retirement income sources in Australia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy poverty; Income; Moderating effect; Nonlinear panel data models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:183:y:2023:i:c:s0301421523004032. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/enpol .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.