Multidimensional energy poverty and convergence: An analysis for Latin America and the Caribbean

GONZALEZ, FERNANDO; IBAÑEZ MARTIN, MARÍA MARÍA

Mendoza

Congreso; LVIII Reunión Anual de la AAEP; 2023

Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most unequal regions in the world, with highlevels of poverty and reduced state capacity to solve structural problems. In this paper, weexamined the existence of a β-convergence process between countries (i.e., reduction ofdisparities) in terms of energy poverty indicators. For this, we constructed an annual panel ofcountries for the last six decades and for thirteen energy poverty indicators covering threedimensions (access, quality, and affordability). The results indicate that, even though substantialdifferences persist, a convergence process has taken place between countries of Latin Americaand the Caribbean, which includes all the dimensions analysed. Context-specificrecommendations that emerge from the findings aim at promoting greater adoption ofrenewable energy, reducing delays in obtaining an electricity connection, and cutting subsidiesfor natural gas and oil