UNDERSTANDING OF ENERGY POVERTY CHARACTERISTICS IN TÜRKİYE: A BASELINE STUDY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ENERGY POOR HOUSEHOLD PROFILES

Date

2023-12-11

Author

Çora, Elif

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Energy poverty, as defined by Bouzarovski (2014), is a condition in which a household lacks the necessary level of energy services due to high energy prices, low incomes, and inefficient buildings and appliances. Thus, it is a significant issue in both urban and rural areas, exacerbated by low incomes and high energy costs (Katsoulakos, 2014). The concept of 'energy rights' embodies the belief that access to energy services is a fundamental right of individuals and necessary for maintaining a dignified standard of living. Addressing energy poverty and developing targeted interventions necessitates an understanding of its complex and multifaceted nature. The existing literature does not provide a comprehensive framework for understanding energy poverty, nor does it offer a accepted definition of the concept. In the political context of Türkiye, while there is no legally recognized definition of energy poverty, public institutions and civil society organizations provide natural gas and coal fuel assistance within social aid programs. However, these aids are not targeted specifically at energy poverty or energy-poor households but are based on households in financial difficulty. Such assistance does not offer a direct and permanent solution to the problem, merely postponing its significant consequences. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the concept of energy poverty and its characteristic features is crucial for a more comprehensive approach. This thesis presents a preliminary study on the phenomenon of energy poverty in Türkiye, exploring its multifaceted characteristics and outcomes. Central to this research is the identification of household profiles experiencing energy poverty and the exemplification of emerging parameters and indicators related to it. The study examines the underlying causes of energy poverty, demographic trends, and socioeconomic impacts, investigating the dynamics of energy poverty in Türkiye. Through in-depth interviews, the research highlights the distinctive features of energy-poor households in Türkiye and examines the interaction between household structure, socio-economic conditions, and spatial factors in energy consumption patterns. The thesis underscores the importance of understanding these dynamics in informing policy formulation and intervention strategies aimed at reducing energy poverty. Consequently, this study contributes to an understanding of energy poverty in the Turkish context through intensive and extensive research methods and adds to the broader discourse on energy poverty in similarly developing economies.

Subject Keywords

Energy Poverty, Energy Poverty Measurement, Energy Poor Profiles, Vulnerability, Affordable Energy

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/107786

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis