The Impact of Energy Use on Poor Urban Livelihoods in ... - DfID

A Study <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> on Poor Urban Livelihoods in Arusha, Tanzania
Box F: Reasons for women's greater poverty
outdated customs and and culture are not friendly to women (ie. do not own
property);
higher levels <strong>of</strong> illiteracy (although this was not borne out by the data for Kaloleni
and Daraja Mbili from the 2002 Non-Formal Education Survey);
not involved in decision-making;
they spend their incomes on family needs;
they have no command over the income they generate;
they use poor equipment in their activities;
lack <strong>of</strong> freedom <strong>of</strong> movement due to confinement by their husbands;
they are not able to secure employment because <strong>of</strong> illiteracy and lack <strong>of</strong> skills.
Source: Participatory Poverty Assessment Study 2001
C.6 <strong>Energy</strong>
C.6.1 National <strong>Energy</strong> Policy
Tanzania's initial National <strong>Energy</strong> Policy (NEP) which was formulated in 1992 was
updated in 2003. <strong>The</strong> new policy aims to establish ‘an efficient energy production,
procurement, transportation, distribution and end-use systems in an environmentally
sound and sustainable manner and with due regard to gender issues’ 39 .
While the new policy recognizes the relationship between energy and poverty and
energy and gender it fails to incorporate strategies for achieving desired changes.
Specifically in the household energy sector, it acknowledges that the high cost <strong>of</strong>
commercial energy and the related appliances is a major constraint for the poor. It
also recognises the need to change prevailing inefficient practices in energy use.
<strong>The</strong> major focus in terms <strong>of</strong> energy supply is on rural and semi-urban women,
although a broader approach to gender issues is iterated as a cross cutting strategy
in all sectors. Box G highlights specific policy statements relating to the household
sector.
<strong>The</strong> NEP gives extensive consideration to the rural energy problematic but apart from
some generalised statements relating to the demand for energy and crosscutting
issues relating to energy, set out in Box G, it makes little reference to urban needs
and supply. As will be seen from detailed consideration <strong>of</strong> fuel supply below, the GoT
divests its responsibility to the private sector in urban areas.
C.6.2 National energy supply and demand
Tanzanian energy usage comprises:
Wood & biomass: 90%
Petroleum products: 8%
Electricity: 1.2 - 2%
Coal & renewable energy: approx. 1% 40
<strong>The</strong> domestic sector is the largest energy consumer.
39
National <strong>Energy</strong> Policy, 2003 p.1
40
Key Informant Interview, Assistant Commissioner, Ministry <strong>of</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> and Minerals
Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North