Abstract
In the UK and beyond, rising energy prices and the wider cost-of-living crisis are placing households under growing financial strain. In Scotland, over one-third of households are in fuel poverty, with 23% in extreme fuel poverty. This issue is especially severe in remote and island areas such as the Orkney Islands, where residents contend with higher energy costs, limited access to efficient heating systems, and persistent socio-economic challenges. Tackling fuel poverty is essential not only to reduce energy consumption but also to achieve broader public health, equity, and environmental outcomes, especially so in rural areas that remain underrepresented in research. The interaction of local housing characteristics, heating systems, and socio-economic status in such contexts is often overlooked. This study addresses that gap, examining how these factors intersect to exacerbate fuel poverty in Orkney. Low energy efficiency in homes significantly increases energy bills, pushing many households into the “heat or eat” dilemma. The issue is particularly acute in rented properties due to the “split incentive,” where landlords lack motivation to invest in upgrades. Our analysis shows a growing disparity between actual household income and the income needed to avoid fuel poverty, and signposts a pathway for targeted policies such as retrofit grants, support for low-income households, and incentives for landlords. By leveraging local renewable resources, remote communities have the potential to lead in energy sovereignty. The case of Orkney offers valuable lessons for other communities and reinforces the call for socially inclusive approaches in the journey toward net zero energy.
Presenters
Aristides KiprakisProfessor of Agile Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom Androniki Papathanasi
PhD Student - Research Assistant , School of Engineering - Institute for Energy Systems, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
Energy Efficiency, Fuel Poverty, Energy Transition, Rural Energy Provision
