A case study of energy use for domestic cooking by urban dwellers in Colombo city

Abstract

Our research findings show that the predominant types of energy used for cooking by urban dwellers in Colombo vary with income range: low income groups use relatively more firewood, middle-income groups kerosene, electricity and LP gas, and high-income groups only LP gas and electricity. This use pattern is attributed to the cost of equipment, price of energy, convenience in use, and cleanliness. The urban poor use purchased firewood, which is the most inefficient, most costly and most inconvenient energy source. They spent a greater income share on energy purchases for cooking than other income groups, and would be the primary beneficiaries of improved stoves, increased firewood supplies and low-cost alternative energy sources.