World Renewable Energy Congress, 2011
Covariates of fuel saving technologies in urban Ethiopia
Abebe Damte and Steven F Koch
The current government of Ethiopia has devised supply augmented and demand management strategies in order to reduce pressure on forests and the adverse impact of indoor air pollution. This paper tries to examine and understand the determinants of the speed of adoption of one of the demand side strategies, fuel saving technologies (Mirt and Lakech), in urban Ethiopia. The result of the duration analysis shows that income level is a significant factor in the adoption decision of the technologies. This indicates that households will not shift to other better sources of energy as their income increases, as postulated by the energy ladder hypothesis.
Education is positively and significantly related to the speed of adoption of Mirt biomass cook stoves but its effect on adoption of Lakech charcoal stove is insignificant. Electric Mitad (substitute for Mirt injera stove) does not have any effect on the adoption of Mirt biomass cook stoves. However, ownership of Metal charcoal stove is negatively correlated with the adoption of Lakech charcoal stoves. This may suggest that there is a need to reconsider the promotion strategy given the better performance of Lakech charcoal stove over Metal charcoal stove. The implications of other covariates have also been discussed.
