engleski

Energy poverty in Croatia– defining causes and consequences

Energy poverty, the inability to access or afford modern energy services and to use them at adequate level which is socially and culturally acceptable without adverse impacts on health, is a growing concern in the EU. Households in Croatia are responsible for almost 30 percent of total country’s final energy demand and 40 percent of electricity demand. While the whole residential building stock has poor energy performance with heating requirements typically exceeding 200 kWh/m2, the situation is even worse for the households with limited financial means. With high heating requirements resulting from inefficient household stock and inadequate heating system, energy poor are living in deteriorated buildings, with constant draft through the poorly insulated windows and doors, damp walls with mould and dark rooms as result of inadequate indoor lighting. Solution to the 4Ds of energy poverty (deteriorated buildings, draft through walls and doors, damp walls and dark rooms) is energy efficiency. Solving the issue of 4Ds is likely to decrease health risks related to energy poverty, contribute to fighting climate change and decreasing levels of energy poverty. To research correlation between occurrence of low levels of energy efficiency and resulting 4Ds, pilot survey was undertaken in the in Croatia. A total of 394 households have been visited. The survey consisted of the energy and social questionnaire. The energy data was collected by undertaking simple energy and the social segment included collection of basic demographical data with information on health issues. In addition to the field survey, a set of semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders as well as national level discussion on energy poverty were organised. Overall aim of the research was to obtain inputs to what constitutes energy poverty in Croatia, what are its causes and consequences and how it can be alleviated. This paper will analyse the results of the conducted field survey structured and semi-structured interviews and to discuss possible solutions to 4Ds of energy poverty.

Energy efficiency; energy poverty; drivers; consequences; households

nije evidentirano