The energy transport from the exterior cusp into the ionosphere is investigated using coordinated ground-based (EISCAT and MIRACLE) and satellite (Cluster) observations. EISCAT and MIRACLE data are used to estimate the plasma heating in the F-region and the Joule heating in the E-region. Cluster measurements are used to derive the electromagnetic and particle energy fluxes at the high altitudes. These fluxes are then compared with the energy deposition into the ionospheric cusp during a 30 minutes long time interval in which Cluster and EISCAT are nearly conjugated. It is shown that the particles seen at about 9 R e in the exterior cusp carry an earthward energy flux that corresponds to the observed heating of the F-region. The estimated earthward Poynting flux is more than enough to account for the Joule heating in the E-region.