Measurement of spatial socioeconomic impact of energy poverty

This article presents a spatial analysis of the evolution of energy poverty in Spanish households, and aims to measure the socioeconomic impact of energy poverty. The economic-financial measurement of palliative measures implemented and social perceptions of energy poverty are also dimensioned. In order to analyse holistically the economic-financial and social impact of energy poverty at a territorial level, a statistical analysis of the financial aids has been conducted and the perception of technicians (employed by both the public and the private sectors) who work with affected households has been compiled. In addition, this paper explores the relationship between media coverage and the economic-financial impact at territorial level. To this goal, 259 newspaper articles about energy poverty were classified and analysed to examine the socio-genesis of the problem of energy poverty. The measurement of the socio-economics impact of energy poverty in households in a territory represents the spatial dimension of the problem for the definition of local energy policies taking into consideration the evolution of different measures implemented over time, their limitations, scope and flexibility. •There is a relationship between the energy poverty media coverage and its impact.•The definition of households in a situation of energy poverty remains unresolved.•Energy poverty is less acute in the households located in rural áreas.•Local regulation influences the distribution of public or private aids to households.