SocialWatt aims to support obligated parties under Article 7 of the Energy Efficiency Directive to develop, adopt, test and
spread innovative energy poverty schemes across Europe. Utilities and energy suppliers will be able to build their capacity
and exploit the SocialWatt tools developed for effectively engaging with their customers and implementing schemes that aim
to alleviate energy poverty. Energy efficiency interventions at the household level and the increased use of renewable
energy will be triggered, by promoting innovative financing options, such as Energy Performance Contracts, Energy Saving
Agreements or on-bill repayment.
SocialWatt will contribute to the following 3 main pillars:
– Supporting utilities and energy suppliers contribute to the fight against energy poverty through the use of the SocialWatt
decision support tools. They will be able to identify energy poverty among their clients, elaborate Energy Poverty Action
Plans after having evaluated and selected energy poverty schemes, as well as monitor and assess the overall procedure.
– Bridging the gap between energy companies and social services by promoting collaboration and implementing knowledge
transfer and capacity building activities.
– Implementing and replicating innovative schemes to alleviate energy poverty. Participating utilities and energy suppliers,
operate in 26 European countries, with primary markets in Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Romania and
Spain. The latter will be the focus of the pilot cases for developing and implementing energy poverty schemes, whilst the
replication of SocialWatt across Europe will be pursued.
Energy poor citizens are the main target group that will benefit from the innovative schemes. SocialWatt will support energy
companies to fulfil their energy efficiency obligations, as well as improve public relations, promote Corporate Social
Responsibility strategies, reduce debt and overhead in managing debt and enhance their public image.