In cases, energy poverty occurs when energy bills represent a high percentage of the income of consumers and it can affect their capacity to cover other expenses. It can as well occur when consumers are forced to reduce the energy consumption of their households and consequently this affects their physical and mental health and well-being.

Additionally, low household incomes, inefficient buildings and appliances, and specific household energy needs contribute to the challenge. It is estimated that about 34 million people in the European Union are experiencing energy poverty to a variety of degrees with the most vulnerable demographic groups being the most affected.

The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) is the leading EU initiative aiming to eradicate energy poverty and accelerate the just energy transition of European local governments.

EPAH’s mission is to be the central platform of energy poverty expertise in Europe for local authorities and all stakeholders interested in taking action to combat energy poverty in Europe by providing direct support, online trainings, and research results and by building a collaborative network of stakeholders interested in taking action to combat energy poverty in Europe.

Building on the EU Energy Poverty Observatory legacy, the EPAH adapts an action-based approach by creating a space for collaboration and exchange for local and regional authorities planning a variety of measures to tackle energy poverty in the pursuit of a just and fair transition.

Information about EPAH can be found on the EPAH general page.

EPAH vision is to eradicate energy poverty and accelerate the just energy transition of European local governments. 

To achieve that, they aim to become the central platform of energy poverty expertise in Europe for local authorities and all stakeholders interested in taking action to combat energy poverty in Europe by:

• Engaging local authorities and civil society organisations (city, municipal and regional governments, NGOs and other relevant organisations) across Europe on energy poverty mitigation and understanding of the social aspects related to it. To this end, we are collecting, analysing and disseminating inspirational local cases and research results.

• Creating a collaborative network of stakeholders interested in taking actions against energy poverty in Europe and engage them in a continuous dialogue and exchange through the EPAH platform, through national and international events and workshops and through digital training opportunities.

• Motivating stakeholders to take action against energy poverty at the local level by establishing a support system for local authorities and civil society organisations.