Mapping Energy Vulnerability of Households in Bulgaria

The purpose of the paper is to propose a geographical approach to identify households’ vulnerability in terms of energy poverty. Data from the Eurostat’s “Energy efficiency module” of the SILC Survey conducted in 2023 is used at NUTS 3 level, as well as annual statistical data from the National Statistical Institute and the Agency for Social Assistance in Bulgaria, to develop a "Household Energy Vulnerability Index" – a composite index consisting of three sub-indices that summarize three key categories across regions and districts in Bulgaria: 1) Energy Needs – including climatic conditions, the share of households affected by the new emissions trading scheme in buildings and transport, the share of households using firewood, and the share of households that have not implemented energy efficiency measures. 2) Social Vulnerability – including income levels, unemployment rate, the share of households with income below the poverty line, the share of elderly individuals, and high winter death rates. 3) SILC Energy Poverty indicators – including the share of households unable to maintain an adequate indoor temperature, those with leaking roofs, dampness, mould on walls, roofs, or floors, and those struggling to pay utility bills. The article argues, that there are significant spatial variations in household energy vulnerability between regions and twice as large variations between districts. Territorial analysis shows, that energy poverty in Bulgaria is more closely linked to wood use, low incomes, the high proportion of people with incomes below the poverty line, and the lack of energy efficiency measures, and much less to gas use and unemployment. This is an important implication for the design of the Social Climate Plan and other financial mechanisms to reduce energy poverty in Bulgaria.