Household energy use: a comparison of household energy consumption and expenditure across three provinces

Abstract

This paper details and contrasts the patterns of household energy consumption from three sample groups across three provinces in South Africa. The three samples were selected from unelectrified areas in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, North West and the Eastern Cape. The paper shows the range of energy sources and carriers as well as the most prominent and common applications. Understand-ing patterns of household energy consumption and expenditure, as well as the energy burden of rural households can be used to shape and inform ener-gy interventions within these regions for both public and private sector concerns.