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
weak energy infrastructure and this results in the limited use <strong>of</strong> modern fuels for most
urban energy needs. He cites three main reasons for the heavy reliance on traditional
fuels for urban energy needs: (i) low income levels; (ii) the limited nature <strong>of</strong> energy
infrastructure and (iii) erratic supplies <strong>of</strong> modern fuels.
Figure C.10: Proportional use by type <strong>of</strong> energy in domestic
energy sector
<strong>Energy</strong> Source Mainland
Tanzania
Lighting
Urban Areas (except
Dar-es-Salaam)
91/92 00/01 91/92 00/01
Electricity 6.6 9.2 20.7 28.6
Solar <strong>Energy</strong> N/A 0.6 N/A 0.5
Gas 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.1
Kerosene 89.8 83.9 78.7 69.6
Candles 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.3
Firewood &
other
3.1 5.7 0.0 0.7
100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Total
Cooking
Electricity 1.5 0.9 4.8 2.4
Solar <strong>Energy</strong> N/A 0.9 N/A 0.8
Gas-industrial 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1
Gas-biogas N/A 0.1 N/A 0.1
Kerosene 5.2 5.0 13.3 8.9
Coal 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3
Charcoal 10.6 14.2 36.6 53.3
Firewood 81.5 78.5 43.4 33.8
Other 0.8 0.1 1.0 0.2
100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Total
Source: HBS 2000/01
Household energy surveys (Hosier and Kipondya:1993) 57 revealed that:
• household energy consumption responds to price and local availability
• charcoal is the dominant household fuel
• in recent years households have begun making greater use <strong>of</strong> electricity
and kerosene because these fuels are sold at subsidised rates. This has
led to resource misallocations at the national level 58 but has been
justified on the grounds that it will help the poor and alleviate pressure on
woodfuel resources.
As shown in table 2.5 charcoal, firewood, kerosene and electricity are currently the
major energy sources for urban areas. <strong>The</strong> dominant fuels being charcoal and
57 Conducted in 1990 in Dar-es-Salaam, Mbeya and Shinyanga
58 e.g. (i) cost <strong>of</strong> supplying electricity is far greater than its consumer price; (ii) kerosene is cheaper than
charcoal; (iii) LPG is the household fuel for which consumers pay closest to the economic marginal cost
but there is poor uptake..
Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North