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- Title
Energy poverty in the mountainous town of Metsovo, Greece.
- Authors
Balaskas, Anastasios; Papada, Lefkothea; Katsoulakos, Nikolas; Damigos, Dimitris; Kaliampakos, Dimitris
- Abstract
In an attempt to enhance knowledge on the energy poverty phenomenon in mountainous areas, a primary social survey was conducted in a typical mountainous town of Greece, Metsovo in the Region of Epirus. The survey recorded quantitative data of energy expenses and incomes of households and it also captured qualitative indicators related to energy poverty. The findings showed that nine out of ten households in Metsovo are exposed to energy poverty, based on the objective 10% index. The subjective indicators revealed other interesting aspects of the problem. Over one-third of the local population live in houses that are inadequately heated and/or present damp problems. Almost two-thirds of the local population have been forced to restrict other basic needs, in order to respond to high energy costs. Studying the relationships between variables of the survey also revealed some notable issues. Households inadequately heated present statistical significant correlation with the heating system used. The inadequately heated houses are also correlated with houses that presented damp-mould problems, as well as households that report arrears in energy bills. Moreover, reduction in hours of heating system operation is correlated with health problems. Current energy policy in Greece does not include specific strategies for mountainous areas, apart from some differentiations in heating oil subsidies. The great extent of energy poverty in mountainous Greece, highlighted by the present representative (with respect to mountainous Greece) study, may have irreversible social impacts. Hence, a need for specific and effective action is necessary, whose main axes should be an extensive upgrade of buildings' energy efficiency in mountainous settlements and special fuel tariffs for mountainous areas.
- Subjects
GREECE; EPIRUS (Greece &; Albania); SOCIAL impact; ENERGY policy; POVERTY; CITIES &; towns; ENERGY consumption
- Publication
Journal of Mountain Science, 2021, Vol 18, Issue 9, p2240
- ISSN
1672-6316
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11629-020-6436-1