An investigation into measurements and determinants of energy poverty: evidence from cross-section data in Malawi

Abstract

Using economics approaches of measuring energy poverty, the findings of the study suggest that over 90 percent of the households sampled were energy poor. The Logit model of energy poverty reveal that household expenditure on transport, income level, age, and education level of head of household, household size and home size, are important factors in explaining the state of energy poverty in South Lunzu Township. . Households who spent more on schooling were also spending more on food items and their expenditure on energy resources was less than 10 percent of the total expenditure per month. The major recommendation of this study is that campaigns emphasising on the abilities of Renewable Energy be developed and disseminated. Also there should be a deliberate effort to make cheaper sources of renewable energy like solar available to poorer townships.