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| Author and Title |
Griffin N J, Banks D, Mavrandonies J, Shackleton SE & Shackleton CM 1992. Household energy and wood use in a peripheral rural area of the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld. Final Report |
| Article in |
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| Available online at |
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| End use |
Household energy |
| Energy technology |
Woodfuel |
| Issue |
Energy & poverty |
| Level |
Research |
| Description |
A broad-scale study to investigate a number of aspects of energy use was undertaken in six contrasting settlements in the Mhala region of Gazankulu in the eastern Transvaal Lowveld. A structured interview approach was used for most aspects of the study. The schedule included sections on types, amounts and reasons for use, or non-use, of 13 different energy sources, as well as associated socio-economic variables and tree cutting and planting activities. Respondents were also requested to indicate their energy preferences. A total of 424 households were interviewed. Other methods of data collection were adopted to complement the study, including quantification of fuel wood availability, detailed estimates of wood consumption, and the amount of wood used in construction.
Wood (whether collected or bought) was the most ubiquitous source of household energy, contributing between 58% and 93 % of total energy consumed (in terms of M.J. household.month) Modelling of wood demand relative to supply indicated that present harvesting rates were unsustainable. The frequency of use and the per capita consumption of secondary energy sources differed between settlements. Mean monthly expenditure on energy varied, ranging from 7 % to 18 % of estimated monthly household income. Despite its unavailability in most of the settlements, electricity was the most desired energy source in five of the six settlements. |
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