Energy profiles among urban elite households in Mozambique: Explaining the persistence of charcoal in urban areas

Abstract

This paper investigates the persistence of charcoal use among the urban elite in Mozambique. The paper presents the results of a survey of 1036 households in three of the largest cities in the country: Maputo, Matola, and Beira. The analysis of the survey provides insights about the factors influencing fuel switching in these cities and the need to consider the spatial dimensions of the energy ladder model to develop a richer understanding of energy transitions in Mozambique.The analysis suggests that increases in income lead to higher levels of energy consumption. However, income is not a good predictor of fuel choices. Instead, cultural and generational factors seem to condition the use of different fuels, as reflected in the age and educational level of the survey respondents. The survey also shows that complex patterns of energy use support fuel stacking choices. Electricity is a versatile source in comparison to alternatives such as charcoal and liquified petroleum gas. However, while electricity seems to be increasingly used to heat water, it is more rarely used for cooking. Overall, the survey results suggest that spatial variables, such as built environment structures and household location, may also influence energy use patterns among the urban elite.The paper concludes with a call for qualitative and mixed methods research to explain how spatial variables and built environment patterns influence energy use in countries with low rates of energy access, such as Mozambique.