The energy profile of a low-income urban community

Abstract

As part of a household energisation experiment, a baseline survey was undertaken from a sample of 152 households in the informal settlement of Samora Machel. The survey covered energy needs for cooking, space heating, water heating, lighting and any other demands, the costs of energy and total household monthly expenses. The average home had 3-4 inhabitants in less than 2 rooms. Paraffin was the primary source of energy for cooking and space heating, and played a significant role in water heating and lighting. Electricity was quite widely available, but was used primarily for low-power services such as radios and cellphones. Only 10% of all homes had a refrigerator. 20% of all homes purchased LP gas regularly but only used it on social occasions. Fuelwood was collected rather than purchased, and mainly burned in an open brazier, both for cooking and space heating. Space heating was primarily by cookstove; only one home had a specially designed heater using paraffin fuel. The median household expenditure was R1 800/month and 20% of this was spent on energy services. About half the homes are at risk of energy poverty, where lack of energy could give rise to a range of health problems, particularly during the colder months.

Energy use scenarios in an informal urban settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa

“…7 This study is similar in principle to the study carried out by Lloyd [8] in the Samora Machel resettlement area in Cape Town. Similarities and differences can be drawn from the results of the two surveys.…”

“…The use of multiple energy sources (energy stacking) in this area is an expected result. Similar studies found that lowincome households rely on multiple fuels to meet their basic energy needs [7,8,10,11]. According to Heltberg [7], this is often why introduction of a new fuel may not displace the fuels already in use.…”

“…Three interviewers from the University of Johannesburg were trained in the administration of the questionnaire, initially by administering the questionnaire to each other [8]. After the training exercise, the interviewers then took part in pilot survey of ten respondents (not taking part in the survey) to test the questionnaire instrument.…”

“…Lloyd [8] found that kerosene was the primary source of energy for cooking and space heating, and played a significant role in water heating and lighting. In this study, we found that coal and kerosene are predominantly used energy sources for cooking and heating.…”

“…In the Lloyd [8] study, about 20% of the interviewed households used LP gas regularly but only on social occasions. In this study, none of the interviewed households used LP gas for cooking or heating.…”