energy poverty

American  

[en-er-jee pov-er-tee] / ˈɛn ər dʒi ˌpɒv ər ti /

noun

1. a lack of adequate access to safe, affordable sources of electricity or fuel for warmth, light, cooking, etc..

   The report stated that households living in privately rented homes are more at risk of experiencing energy poverty than those who own their own homes.

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Etymology

Origin of energy poverty

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

He said he found Energy Corps’s approach to addressing energy poverty refreshing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

For the people of Gaza, the conflict meant energy poverty.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2025

But those energy retrofits are expensive and are likely beyond the reach of many low-income households, which could lead to what the researchers call an energy poverty trap.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2024

“By inviting the oil and gas industry to participate in the conversation, we can create pragmatic solutions to addressing global energy poverty while minimizing our environmental impact,” Pursell said in a statement.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2023

Helping developing nations build renewable energy infrastructure will both avert emissions and alleviate the energy poverty that afflicts more than 700 million people worldwide, it said.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 2023