Survey of energy use and impact of solar electrification in Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia with particular focus on women

Abstract

Household survey and focus group discussions were carried out in solar electrified and nonelectrified villages of two study sites namely Tukul, in Tigray region and Sabure, in Afar region. This was done with the intention of identifying household energy utilization patterns, the impact of solar electricity on the beneficiaries, and women’s empowerment issues. Heterogeneous groups belonging to different socio-economic status were incorporated in the household surveys from both male and female headed households in order to gain a holistic understanding of differences and similarities in the way energy is used. Key findings in the research indicated biomass as the most prevalent cooking energy source in both electrified and non-electrified villages. Women played a major role in the provision and management of energy sources whereas men’s managing role was increased with purchasable lighting sources provided that they were the main users. General factors that determined preferences over different types of energy sources were dependent on access issues, contextual, and socio-cultural factors. Solar electricity had not liberated the users from biomass use but has had a significant impact on the beneficiaries through the provision of improved lighting that created conducive environment for facilitating income generating activities, social relationships, children education, better health conditions and security, access to information and communication. Inaccessibility and high prices associated to solar accessories prohibited replacement of malfunctioning equipments. This coupled with lack of strong community coordination made beneficiaries regress to their old ways of lighting energy utilization. The Barefoot approach has good structures in place to facilitate women’s empowerment but findings indicate that while the approach was successful in bringing about positive change to agency, there were associated structural and relational factors that need to be addressed before women can be claimed as empowered.