Energy poverty remains a significant barrier to sustainable development in many parts of the world. Households without access to modern energy services face higher health risks, limited educational opportunities, and constrained economic mobility. Research on the energy-poverty nexus shows that clean energy access is increasingly linked to poverty reduction and improved development outcomes.
Measurement — Defining and measuring energy poverty requires multi-dimensional approaches. Income-based metrics alone are insufficient; access to electricity, clean cooking fuels, and energy affordability all matter. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7) explicitly target universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
Policy interventions — Subsidies, microfinance for solar home systems, and grid extension programmes have shown success. Institutional quality and governance play a critical role in ensuring that energy access programmes reach the most vulnerable populations.