The Determinants of Energy Choice for Domestic Use in Informal Settlements of North Addis Ababa.

Abstract

This paper analyzed the determinants of energy choice for domestic use in informal settlements of North Addis Ababa based on the data generated from 450 households in Yeka Sub-city, Woreda42 12 using multitier questionnaire. The study identified demographic and household characteristics; energy source related factors; food consumption behaviors; and other variables that influenced informal settlers’ energy choice. The binary logit result showed that household heads43 from 30-60 years of age, education above grade 4, number of dependent families from 1-4, the suitability of dwelling place to the urban plan, number of years a household lived in the area, availability and reliability of energy sources, availability and cost of appliances, and food consumption behaviors significantly affected households access to electric power. It is found that, among households who lived more than 9 years, 74% are electric-users while 26% are non-users of electricity. The findings also indicated that families with higher levels of income, especially when household heads are employed on permanent basis, households living in a very good shelter, and increased number of rooms have better access to electricity while sex of the household head, family size44, marital status, land title and size, electric tariffs and connection fees and proximity of the home to electric line have no relationships with households electric-use status.