Hard to reach energy consumers in Sweden

Abstract: The transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon future requires significant changes in energy behaviour among energy consumers. However, the question remains about how, by whom, and what changes are necessary to achieve this transition. While many policies have been implemented to overcome these barriers, current policies focus on technology market development and market failures. Policies that address behavioural anomalies are limited, leading to a lack of engagement and awareness among many energy consumers. This issue is particularly prominent among hard-to-reach (HTR) consumer groups, which can be found in both the commercial and residential sectors (Rotmann, Sea, 2019). The impact of HTR energy consumers on energy efficiency measures and the achievement of climate neutrality remains largely unexplored. It is necessary to identify and understand these groups to address this gap. By doing so, it is possible to help them change their energy consumption behaviour towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future (Rotmann, Sea, 2019).This project aims to provide insights into HTR energy consumers in Sweden and assess their impact on achieving climate neutrality. The primary objective is to identify the most common HTR groups, their main barriers, and the potential drivers that could help change their energy consumption behaviour. A detailed literature review is conducted to gather information on practical and theoretical cases globally to achieve these objectives. After the literature review, a semi-quantitative data analysis has identified and classified HTR energy user in Sweden, by using modelling software like Mental Modeler. A qualitative analysis was carried out to analyze the HTR groups, identify their main barriers and potential drivers, and to understand their energy behaviour better. From the literature review, it was found that high income, low income, and elderly are hard to reach, and there is a research gap of their behavior, needs and how to address their challenges to energy consumption. The findings revealed that high energy prices, subsidies, economic conditions, and energy production were key driver components that could not be controlled by individual energy consumers. Therefore, policymakers must implement policies that address these root causes, such as investing in renewable energy sources, increasing competition in the energy market, and offering targeted subsidies for energy-efficient products and services. Additionally, policies that promote economic growth and stability can help to improve energy efficiency by reducing the financial strain on households. Overall, this study highlights the need for comprehensive energy efficiency policies that target both the demand and supply side of energy consumption to promote sustainable and affordable energy use in households, which is crucial for achieving long-term energy and climate goals.