What do cities and towns need to combat energy poverty?

For a second time, EPAH invited local governments and organisations working with local governments to submit their requests for technical assistance and receive support in the process of tackling energy poverty. The results from this second round of technical assistance highlighted the main needs of cities and towns when addressing energy poverty.

Identifying indicators to diagnose energy poverty and vulnerable households, developing communication campaigns for energy communities, improving the visibility of energy offices to reach out to vulnerable consumers are only some of the diverse activities developed through the technical assistance programme.  

In all cases, the programme has focused on building the capacity of municipalities and enabling them to design tailored strategies that address the unique challenges in their communities.  

Different needs of different communities

In Getafe, Spain, the technical assistance helped the municipality develop a comprehensive guide for district heating and cooling systems. This initiative is expected to reduce energy costs by up to 50%, thanks to the use of local geothermal energy and other renewable sources. By focusing on energy efficiency and local resources, Getafe is setting an example for how municipalities can drive down costs while promoting sustainability.  

In Bükkszentkereszt, Hungary, traditional heating methods using wood had become a serious health and environmental concern. EPAH’s technical assistance provided the framework for the community to explore cleaner, more sustainable heating technologies, reducing both health risks and energy costs. This case demonstrates the importance of adopting community-driven, clean energy solutions in rural areas.

In Valencia, Spain, municipal staff and energy agents were trained to address summer energy poverty, learning practical methods for keeping homes cool during increasingly extreme heatwaves. This targeted response to climate adaptation reflects a growing need for resilience in regions facing high summer temperatures, and Valencia’s programme highlights how local training can lead to impactful change.

A broader outcome across the technical assistance projects is the development of tailored action plans based on comprehensive energy poverty diagnosis. In Eastern Macedonia, for example, the municipalities of Drama, Kavala, Nestos, and Pangaio now have a solid foundation for future energy poverty mitigation actions thanks to detailed data collection and community collaboration efforts facilitated by EPAH. 

Main takeaways from the project

With tailored assistance based on local needs, the programme has shown that addressing energy poverty requires both a deep understanding of local conditions and a holistic approach that combines technical solutions with community engagement.

Local governments are well-positioned to lead the development of local actions, provided they have access to the right tools and resources. The technical assistance helped municipalities gather essential data, develop practical action plans, and implement energy-saving measures that directly benefit vulnerable households.

Find out more and explore the developed projects through EPAH’s map.