Energy Poverty and Gender in Urban South Africa

Energy poverty is complex and multi-faceted issue and is driven by a diverse range of social and economic factors such as rising electricity prices, household incomes, energy inefficient homes to name a few. To do justice to developing energy poverty solutions, these issues need to be well understood.

This report presents an update on the current state of energy poverty in South African cities. It explores the energy poverty-gender nexus in the urban environment, an aspect that is largely overlooked. The report addresses some of the key factors influencing energy poverty and presents the manifestations of urban energy poverty. Furthermore, reviews the current impact of key pro-poor energy policies towards aims to further develop suitable gender-sensitive energy solutions for urban municipalities.