European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen’s recommendation earlier this week for further reductions in energy consumption amid the energy crisis faces significant limitations in Greece. According to Kathimerini, lower consumption by Greek households does not necessarily reflect greater energy efficiency, but is largely due to financial constraints and the reduction of basic energy use.
Between 2010 and 2023, energy consumption for heating per square meter fell by around 3.6% annually. Part of this decline, however, is attributed to lower disposable income and reduced heating rather than widespread improvements in the energy efficiency of homes.
This is also reflected in energy poverty indicators. In 2025, Greece had the highest share of households in the EU unable to keep their homes adequately warm during winter, at 18.1%, compared with an EU average of 8.8%. At the same time, around one in five households is considered energy poor, roughly twice the EU average, struggling to meet basic needs for heating, cooling, lighting and the use of household appliances.
Based on current prices, the additional cost of household heating compared with last year is expected to approach €500 million.
Greece’s relatively low household energy consumption in absolute terms is also partly due to its milder climate. After adjusting for climate conditions, however, the picture changes significantly. Greece moves from the sixth-lowest consumption in the EU to 17th place, while under average European climate conditions it ranks among the five countries with the highest energy consumption per home.
These apparent contradictions, low consumption, a mild climate and high energy poverty, are largely explained by the condition of the country’s housing stock. Around six in ten homes have inadequate thermal insulation, while a large share of buildings are old and have low energy ratings. Despite renovation programmes in recent years, only 9.5% of people say their homes have undergone energy-efficiency upgrades in the past five years, compared with an EU average of 23.9%, placing Greece third from the bottom in the EU.
Source: Kathimerini
What is fyi.news?
