Energy Poverty Public Policies: Energy Governance and Social Concerns in the Spanish Case

Energy poverty has become one of the most important topics in both academic and political discussions about growing inequalities and poverty in Europe in recent years. The concept of energy poverty refers to the situation where individuals are not able to adequately heat - or be provided with the necessary energy services at - their homes at an affordable cost. In some countries energy poverty also includes water poverty and, in some cases, they are linked to housing rights and other social and economic rights. Since the beginning of the socio-economic crisis in 2008, the energy poverty index has increased and is a current and urgent issue that local and national governments have to face. The Spanish case shows us a classic backdrop of struggle of interests between social, public and private perspectives. On the one hand, energy poverty regulation has increased and improved in the last years, most especially due to social demands from social movements such as the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH), the Energy Poverty Partnership (APE) or the Energy Sovereignty Network (XSE). On the other hand, the energy market is overpowered by a few big trading companies which have deep links with the government (revolving doors phenomena). Finally, energy-related politics in the UE has been focused in energy transition policies and liberalisation policies of the national energy markets, looking for a single European energy market. This is the context we have to consider when we analyse the legal and political struggles in this field. Energy poverty is not only a social and equality problem, but also an energy justice issue deeply connected with the struggle for a sustainable energy system in all possible dimensions. This paper analyses the relation between the national governments – using the Electricity Rate Subsidy (‘Bono Social’) case as our case of study -, the energy trading companies and their influence over energy poverty policies. It also aims to examine how non-state actors and trading companies, but also social movements and advocacy networks gain an important role in the determination of the energy poverty public policies, and how they can define them. The methodology in this paper has a qualitative approach, based on documental research and content analysis about Court sentences, as well as legal texts about the social bond. It also includes information from in-depth interviews with energy governmental experts and energy policy makers. Energy poverty policies includes concerns about energy governance – and the influence of non-governmental actors – and its dimensions on democracy process and citizen participation. Also regarding the public intervention in the welfare states' framework, and how to balance the market-oriented energy system and the fight against poverty – and specifically energy poverty in an energy transition scenario.