The 2022 energy and inflationary crises: Data, experiences and opinions of Spanish energy vulnerable households

R. Barrella, S. Mora Rosado, J.C. Romero

Energy Research & Social Science Vol. 121, pp. 103961-1 - 103961-17

Summary:

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a profound socio-economic impact in Europe. The EU and its Member States implemented different mitigation strategies in this energy and inflationary crisis context.

However, European households' situation and response to these shocking crises were unknown when these policies were implemented. This paper aims to shed light on what this emergency has meant for vulnerable groups by focusing on the impact of energy poverty on their socio-economic condition. The study explores the situation of the households assisted by the Spanish Red Cross using a mixed methodology of quantitative (primary data survey, N = 1557) and qualitative (focus groups, N = 45) research. Thus, this article combines data and experiences of these vulnerable communities with opinions from the NGO technical staff and experts from academia.

The results unveil complex and ambivalent circumstances concerning energy vulnerability in this population. Their most pressing problem is the inability to maintain thermal comfort at home in winter and summer. These two seasonal faces of energy poverty are linked to the poor quality of their dwellings and energy services. Moreover, other contributing factors are their socio-economic situation and the 2022 high energy prices, which pushed more than 90 % of them to cut off or reduce heating consumption during the 2022–2023 winter. Finally, this paper highlights how this population employs different coping strategies affecting their quality of life. Eventually, the paper's findings and recommendations might support relevant stakeholders in addressing energy poverty during emergencies, thus contributing to pursuing a just energy transition.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este articulo analiza las distintas situaciones y dimensiones de pobreza energética que ha sufrido la población atendida por Cruz Roja Española en el contexto de la crisis inflacionaria y energética vividas en 2022 y sus impactos en las esferas social y personal.

English layman's summary:

This paper analyses the different situations and dimensions of energy poverty experienced by the population assisted by the Spanish Red Cross in the context of the inflationary and energy crisis experienced in 2022 and its impacts on the social and personal spheres.

Keywords: Energy poverty; Lived experience; Fuel poverty; Energy vulnerability; Energy crisis; Mixed methods

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 6,900 - Q1 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2025.103961

Published on paper: March 2025.

Published on-line: February 2025.

Citation:
R. Barrella, S. Mora Rosado, J.C. Romero, The 2022 energy and inflationary crises: Data, experiences and opinions of Spanish energy vulnerable households. Energy Research & Social Science. Vol. 121, pp. 103961-1 - 103961-17, March 2025. [Online: February 2025]