Study on addressing energy poverty in the Energy Community Contracting Parties

Client: Energetski Institut Hrvoje Požar - EIHP, Croatia (work done for Energy Community Secretariat)

Name of partner(s): NA

Start/Completion Date: November 2020-June 2021

Project description: The overall objective of the study was to contribute to market reforms and the energy transition of the Energy Community Contracting Parties to a low-carbon economy in a sustainable way, by addressing the energy poverty issues. The specific objective of this study was to assess the number of households in energy poverty in the Energy Community Contracting Parties and propose policies and measures for addressing it. The expected outcomes included:

• A status review of currently implemented and planned policies and measures for protecting vulnerable customers and energy poor households in the Contracting Parties;
• An analysis and identification of the main drivers and causes of energy poverty in the Contracting Parties;
• A proposal for criteria and indicators for measuring energy poverty in the Contracting Parties;
• A preliminary assessment of the number of households in energy poverty in the Contracting Parties;
• Recommendations for policies and measures addressing energy poverty in the Contracting Parties, which may be included into National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of each Contracting Party, tailored to their specific needs of a Contracting Party.

The priority was given to measures having long- term and sustainable effects on society, economy and climate. Such measures should in particular focus on increasing energy efficiency, thus reducing energy costs and improving quality of life of those affected by energy poverty. Proposed measures shall allow poor households to actively participate in clean energy transition and enjoy the benefits of developing technology. The Beneficiaries of the project are the Energy Community Secretariat and the Contracting Parties. All outcomes have been provided for each Contracting Party separately and SEEC was subcontracted by EIHP to support the realization of the project for Serbia and to perform following services:

• Review of relevant legislative acts related to the issue of energy poverty and energy vulnerability for Republic of Serbia and preparation of relevant report;
• Overview of relevant statistical data and data collected from ministries and other stakeholders for the purpose of the study for Republic of Serbia;
• Supporting EIHP in communication and data collection from the stakeholders.