Perspective Chapter: Energy Poverty in Rural Areas – A Contribution to the Development Strategies Debate

Abstract

This chapter discusses the concept of energy poverty and its forms present in rural areas in order to contribute to the debate about the strategies to be considered for achieving the goals established for sustainable development by the 2030 Agenda. The multidimensional nature of energy poverty and its different approaches are highlighted. The characterization of energy poverty in the international rural setting is carried out based on the literature review on the subject, where various aspects are analyzed, such as public policies for rural electrification, and programs to use available energy sources in remote regions to meet the cooking and heating needs of households efficiently. The technological obstacles and financial barriers to be overcome and the solutions’ scope are also discussed. Furthermore, energy poverty in rural areas is addressed from the notion of energy justice in its various dimensions and its relations with environmental justice. The chapter concludes with the indication that energy poverty is related to other socio-economic vulnerabilities and should be included in sustainable development agendas in order to reduce socio-economic inequalities in rural areas.