The fair energy transition and energy poverty in Argentina

Abstract

Current debates on energy policy revolve around the phenomenon of the energy transition, driven mainly by concerns about climate change. However, the impact of the energy transition on social equity and the territory is not always debated. In this context, the aim of this research is to analyze preliminarily what has been the consideration of the energy poor in the energy transitions of Argentina since 2000, as well as to evaluate if these processes have reduce the territorial inequality of energy poverty in the country. From the exploratory analysis based on secondary data, it is evident that in the country, despite having relatively good energy access indicators, still exists a severe problem linked to the existence of energy poverty, which is not distributed equally in the national territory. This would imply that the energy transition in Argentina is not necessarily just and that energy policy should incorporate social equity objectives in the short term.