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
Household <strong>Energy</strong> Not <strong>Use</strong>d
Kaloleni Daraja Mbili
Ward Extension + Solar energy - Lack <strong>of</strong> education and mobilisation <strong>of</strong> people towards the use <strong>of</strong> + Electricity - it is expensive; need to educate clients to reduce bills and
Workers
solar energy and lack <strong>of</strong> knowledge on how many solar panels are required to meet wastage
what needs; there is a belief among some people that there are radiation effects + Biogas - not all people keep animals; no space for keeping animals
related to solar energy – belief that there are sude-effects; high initial cost
+ Sawdust - no problems given
+ Biogas - Not used because there are not enough animals to produce enough dung
and also no space for plants (food) especially in Meta 200. Central biogas plant not
viable for 2 reasons: (i) not sustainable because people may sell their animals for
other priorities e.g. sending children to school, ceremonies (e.g. confirmation); (ii) in
unplanned areas, plots or areas are privately owned so it is difficult for someone to
give out his/her area for a central or communial biogas plant. This would have to be
solved by ward workers going to discuss possibilities with members <strong>of</strong> community.
Need to discuss other alternative energy sources.
+ LPG - many people are not aware <strong>of</strong> it; also highly inflammable
Elected Ward + LPG – This could be a second fuel to electricity but gas cylinders as well as gas + Sawdust - Lack <strong>of</strong> education
Leaders
cookers are expensive. Again, govt. should reduce tax (import duty) on gas
+ Biogas - Cost <strong>of</strong> plant installation/construction <strong>of</strong> digester is very high
appliances or subsidize the cost <strong>of</strong> gas.
+ Solar - High cost <strong>of</strong> installation; need for education about solar energy
+ Biogas – <strong>The</strong> initial cost <strong>of</strong> constructing a biogas plant is high thus not used by
people. A central biogas plant? Good idea but its practicability questionable
because <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> space – particularly in unplanned areas like Meta 200 –
guaranteeing an adequate number <strong>of</strong> animals to produce enough dung to make it
sustainable. Few people keep animals and those who do have only one or two
cows. Another obstacle was peolle’s lack <strong>of</strong> awareness about such an initiative.
+ LPG - Dangerous – highly inflammable
+ Sawdust as an alternative type <strong>of</strong> energy is good but the sawdust stove produces
too much smoke and it dirties the ro<strong>of</strong> and walls.
Lighting
Solar energy is a good alternative but only if it can be supplied at a cheaper price
Youth Group + Solar energy – it is not used because it requires high initial cost and the majority
are unaware <strong>of</strong> it
+ Biogas not feasible in urban areas. <strong>The</strong>re is a need for an awareness campaign.
Possibility <strong>of</strong> a collective biogas plant to cater for unavailabilty <strong>of</strong> space. People
with cattle may not readily provide dung for the plant because <strong>of</strong> individualism.
Thus there is a need for education.
Cooking
+ Biogas -Lack <strong>of</strong> enough animals to provide sufficient dung; lack <strong>of</strong> space
for keeping animals and building a plant; high cost <strong>of</strong> construction materials
+ Electricity – Very expensive from provision <strong>of</strong> service line (connection) to
actual bills
+ LPG - Not known by many people; fear– it is highly flammable; expensive in
terms <strong>of</strong> connecting pipes, cylinder and stove
+ Sawdust - Fumes/smoke which makes the walls and ro<strong>of</strong> dirty taking into
account that most people rent 1 or 2 rooms only; cooking pans wear out
easily; sawdust stove itself also wears out quickly
Lighting
+ Alternative for lighting is solar but needs high initial capital to install
Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North