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Utilizing dynamic panel data from 21 Guangdong cities (2006–2021), this study employs a GMM model to examine the relationship between the digital economy (DE) and energy poverty (EP), analyzing its heterogeneous effects and robustness. The findings indicate that DE significantly reduces EP by enhancing energy utilisation, with varied impacts across regions and stages. Specifically, DE's contribution is more significant in economically developed Pearl River Delta regions, and increased after 2012 policy implementations. Furthermore, technological innovation acts as a threshold for DE's eradication of EP. Only when technological innovation reaches a certain threshold does the digital economy exhibit a significant effect on eradicating energy poverty. Based on these insights, policy recommendations are proposed to promote sustainable energy development in Guangdong and nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]