Energy planning and its relationship to energy poverty in decision making. A first approach for the Canary Islands

After reviewing the energy policies in the Canary Islands, this study addresses the concept of energy poverty from a different perspective than that usually found in the academic literature. This analysis advances knowledge of the role played by the following six pillars: sustainability, renewable energies, energy efficiency, self-consumption regimes, electrification of energy demand and electrical interconnections, regarding energy poverty in these isolated environments. The relationship of these pillars with energy poverty is analysed in terms of energy scenarios projected for 2030. The results show that the interrelations between these six elements are a good indicator of the evolution of energy poverty. They also provide a roadmap for energy policy in these regions. This research highlights the importance of promoting energy policies that are not based on short-term results, and that energy strategy does not necessarily require planning more tasks in a shorter time. Intending to asses policies suitable for implementation in the medium and long term, this study proposes alternative definitions to measure energy poverty, by identifying the key pillars in energy planning for the Canary Islands.