ABSTRACT
In Indonesia, it is estimated that around 22 million people are street vendors and market traders. Street vendors play an important role within communities by providing access to food and beverages at convenient locations and affordable prices. Many operate their businesses unregistered on streets, alleys, and parks, meaning that they cannot register as the State Electricity Company of Indonesia's customers. They also face constant energy insecurity and challenges to their overall health and quality of life. This study documents the lived experience of energy poverty from street vendors. Drawing from interviews (n = 28) and participant observations, this study investigates not only their energy needs but also coping strategies and implications of the lack of energy access to livelihoods and health. The results depict poverty in relation to spatial injustice where certain areas of the urban environment are available only for higher-income vendors. I also found that they have high awareness about the cost of electricity, but no awareness about cleaner energy sources. Some cope with energy poverty by choosing electricity services over children's education or health services.
