Abstract
The aim of this article is to analyse the current situation of access to energy (in relation to SDG 7) and energy usage behaviour in households in two provinces in Cambodia, namely Pursat and Kampong Cham. The analytical framework is based on the energy ladder model and the energy stacking model as a starting point for assessing the current household energy profiles. A quantitative survey carried out in late 2015 in 970 households revealed differences in access to electricity between urban, electrified rural, and non-electrified rural districts. In urban areas, households are using multiple (3–4) energy sources compared to rural areas (2–3). The use of electricity through batteries in the non-electrified rural areas remains notable (43%) despite no access to the national grid. The dependence on traditional biomass, especially firewood, remains high (91% of all respondents) for all the sampled households, especially so in rural non-electrified households. The study confirms that households’ energy mix is composed of various energy sources, even when modern energy sources are available as opposed to complete fuel switch. The results also show that electricity use does not automatically lead to increased household income, but is much more complex process than discussed in existing research. The article further discusses the possible causes behind the phenomenon, proposes recommendations for better-informed energy policy, and provides important insights towards sustainable energy transition in Cambodia in the future.
Highlights
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were 770 million people without access to electricity in the world in 2019; a decrease from 1.7 billion people in 2000 (IEA, 2019)
4 Results of household energy use Electricity is the most common energy source used in Pursat and Kampong Cham households, with over 95% of respondents using it at least to some extent (Figs. 7 and 8)
Determining factors of use of a certain energy source, as found in this study and echoed by other researchers, are the energy costs, availability, and access to funding for modern energy sources, as well as reliability of the energy source (San, Sriv, et al, 2012; San, Spoann, et al, 2012, Phoumin et al 2019 and 2020, ADB 2018, World Bank, 2018). This manifests in this study whereby in urban areas, households are using more energy sources compared to rural areas, and in higher wealth groups compared to lower wealth groups
Summary
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were 770 million people without access to electricity in the world in 2019; a decrease from 1.7 billion people in 2000 (IEA, 2019). The reliance on government-subsidized imported fossil fuels can become an economic burden, especially given international market price fluctuations (Bhattacharyya, 2012). The increase in global energy demand is most clearly driven by industrialization and increased access to energy in developing countries, with China and India contributing to most of the increase (IEA 2015). According to Bhattacharyya (2012), access to both electricity and cooking energy have strong correlations with Gross National Income (GNI), but the correlation is even stronger with the Human Development Index (HDI). In addition to GNI, HDI contains data from life expectancy at birth and mean schooling years; indicating that access to energy has an influence on economic growth, but its influence is even stronger on the wellbeing of people (Phoumin & Kimura, 2019). Unreliable and costly grid electricity may hinder starting up and maintaining businesses in developing countries, especially in rural areas (ADB 2018; Phoumin et al, 2020)
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