“Enhancing Energy Access in Rural and Peri-Urban Settlements:

Knowledge-Based Policy Engagement.” UNEP-facilitated workshop, 25-27 May 2009,

Cape Town.

Household energy practices in Imizamo Yethu

Bill Cowan

Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town

26 May 2009

Bill.Cowan@uct.ac.za

+27 83 709 6343

Imizamo Yethu is …Imizamo Yethu is …

A residential community near A residential community near Hout Bay (Cape Peninsula).Hout Bay (Cape Peninsula).

Home to about ten thousand Home to about ten thousand people, mainly low-income.people, mainly low-income.

The majority of the adult residents The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape.areas of the Eastern Cape.

But there are people from other parts of But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there.African countries, living there.

The majority of the adult residents The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape.areas of the Eastern Cape.

But there are people from other parts of But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there.African countries, living there.

One of the main reasons for choosing to live in Imizamo Yethu: the search for better work and income opportunities

The majority of the adult residents The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape.areas of the Eastern Cape.

But there are people from other parts of But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there.African countries, living there.

Another reason: it is a relatively peaceful area.

Land is very scarce in Imizamo Yethu.Land is very scarce in Imizamo Yethu.

The search for work / income, and the The search for work / income, and the search for housing, are related.search for housing, are related.

Imizamo Yethu is …Imizamo Yethu is …

Considered a “place of choice” Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. by some residents.

Unlike many apartheid-era Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were townships, where people were forced to live.forced to live.

Imizamo Yethu is …Imizamo Yethu is …

Considered a “place of choice” Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. by some residents.

Unlike many apartheid-era Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were townships, where people were forced to live.forced to live.

The name means “by our own The name means “by our own efforts”, in isiXhosa.efforts”, in isiXhosa.

Imizamo Yethu is …Imizamo Yethu is …

Considered a “place of choice” Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. by some residents.

Unlike many apartheid-era Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were townships, where people were forced to live.forced to live.

The name means “by our own The name means “by our own efforts”, in isiXhosa.efforts”, in isiXhosa.

Another name is “Mandela Park”.Another name is “Mandela Park”.

Types of housingTypes of housing

Formal houses – brick. Formal houses – brick.

Self-built houses – mainly wood Self-built houses – mainly wood and steel.and steel.

““Back-yard shacks”.Back-yard shacks”.

Types of energy accessTypes of energy access

Closely related to the types of Closely related to the types of housing. housing.

And dominated by the types of And dominated by the types of access (or lack of access) to access (or lack of access) to electricity.electricity.

Types of energy accessTypes of energy access

About 70% of households have access to About 70% of households have access to electricity in Imizamo Yethu.electricity in Imizamo Yethu. Not accurate, not static. Not accurate, not static.

Types of energy access:Types of energy access:

About 70% of households have access to About 70% of households have access to electricity.electricity. Not accurate, not static. Not accurate, not static.

Houses without a formal, metered electricity Houses without a formal, metered electricity supplysupply are mainly: are mainly: On parts of land which have not been On parts of land which have not been

approved for settlement, orapproved for settlement, or Back-yard shacks without their own metered Back-yard shacks without their own metered

supplysupply

Types of electricity access:Types of electricity access:

Formal electricity supplies.Formal electricity supplies. Generally with pre-payment meters. Generally with pre-payment meters.

Informal electricity supplies.Informal electricity supplies. Generally paid for (and usually more Generally paid for (and usually more

expensive, per unit).expensive, per unit). Extension cords. “On-selling” electricity.Extension cords. “On-selling” electricity.

No electricity access.No electricity access. Main fuel: paraffin (kerosene).Main fuel: paraffin (kerosene).

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels. and beans) using different fuels.

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels. and beans) using different fuels.

TYPICAL ENERGY PRICES in Imizamo Yethu, TYPICAL ENERGY PRICES in Imizamo Yethu, 2008:2008:

Electricity 60 cents / kWh ( ~ 6 US cents)Electricity 60 cents / kWh ( ~ 6 US cents) Paraffin R11 / litre ( ~ 110 US cents)Paraffin R11 / litre ( ~ 110 US cents) LPGas R20 / kg ( ~ 200 US cents)LPGas R20 / kg ( ~ 200 US cents)

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels. and beans) using different fuels.

APPROXIMATE COOKING ENERGY COSTS APPROXIMATE COOKING ENERGY COSTS (for four servings):(for four servings):

Electricity: 60 SA cents, or lessElectricity: 60 SA cents, or less Paraffin: about 200 SA cents Paraffin: about 200 SA cents LPGas: about 250 SA centsLPGas: about 250 SA cents

(using typical stoves)(using typical stoves)

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

In this context, choosing the “cheapest” fuel In this context, choosing the “cheapest” fuel has the greatest impact on household energy has the greatest impact on household energy bills.bills. For lighting … no contest.For lighting … no contest.

Electricity and CFLs (where available)Electricity and CFLs (where available) For cooking and heating …For cooking and heating …

Actually Actually difficultdifficult for people to judge. for people to judge. Some people still think that it is cheaper Some people still think that it is cheaper

to cook long slow meals using paraffin or to cook long slow meals using paraffin or LPGasLPGas

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a paraffin heater.paraffin heater.

Greasing the potGreasing the pot

What does this mean, for household energy costs?What does this mean, for household energy costs?

Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a paraffin heater.paraffin heater.

Lighting the paraffin heaterLighting the paraffin heater

Cooking for 4 hoursCooking for 4 hours..!..!

Paraffin cost: about R9Paraffin cost: about R9

Electricity cost: about R1Electricity cost: about R1

(on a good stove)(on a good stove)

Over the course of a week:Over the course of a week:

Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costsNolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs

Her meals (for herself and two Her meals (for herself and two children)children)

Daily meals Approximate cooking energy costs (for the electricity used)

Units used Cost (in 2008)

Sunday Breakfast Mealie-meal porridge 0.3 18 centsLunch Left-over rice and beef stew 0.1 to re-heat 6 cents

Dinner Umngqusho (samp and beans) and vegetables

0.8 50 cents

Monday Breakfast White bread and tea 0.1 6 centsLunch Spinach and mealie-meal 0.5 30 cents

Dinner Left-over spinach and mealie-meal 0.1 to re-heat 6 cents

Tuesday Breakfast Morvite instant porridge 0 0Lunch Umfino (cabbage and mealie-meal) 0.5 30 cents

Dinner Bread and butter, with tea 0.1 6 cents

Wednesday Breakfast Chicken livers and bread 0.1 6 centsLunch Rice and potatoes (in same pot) 0.3 18 cents

Dinner Samp, soup, potatoes, onions 0.8 50 cents

Thursday Breakfast Brown bread and tea 0.1 6 centsLunch Rice and potatoes (in same pot) 0.3 18 cents

Dinner Umngqusho (samp and beans) 0.8 50 cents

Friday Breakfast Weetbix (for her daughter), nothing for her 0 0Lunch Tomatoes, onions, Bisto and bread 0.2 12 cents

Dinner Mealie-meal and fried cabbage 0.5 30 cents

Saturday Breakfast Mealie-meal porridge 0.3 18 centsLunch Spinach, potatoes and bread 0.3 18 cents

Dinner Magwinya (vetkoek) and chicken livers 0.4 24 cents

Total electricity used for cooking (1 week)

about 6.6 unitsabout R4.00

Over the course of a week:Over the course of a week:

Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costsNolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs

Using normal electricity:Using normal electricity:

about R4 per week, R25 per month (or less)about R4 per week, R25 per month (or less)

If she used paraffinIf she used paraffin

about R82 per monthabout R82 per month

If she used LPGasIf she used LPGas

about R88 per monthabout R88 per month

at typical 2008 energy pricesat typical 2008 energy prices

Over the course of a week:Over the course of a week:

Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costsNolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs

If she used “informal” electricity:If she used “informal” electricity:

maybe R50 per month?maybe R50 per month?

If she used paraffinIf she used paraffin

about R82 per monthabout R82 per month

If she used LPGasIf she used LPGas

about R88 per monthabout R88 per month

at typical 2008 energy pricesat typical 2008 energy prices

In this contextIn this context

Some policy pointers, to alleviate povertySome policy pointers, to alleviate poverty

Maximise formal electricity supply.Maximise formal electricity supply.

The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable and effective.and effective.

““Meters for all!”Meters for all!”

Inform people about their cheapest and safer Inform people about their cheapest and safer energy use options.energy use options.

In this contextIn this context

Some policy pointers, to alleviate povertySome policy pointers, to alleviate poverty

Maximise formal electricity supply.Maximise formal electricity supply.

The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable and effective.and effective.

““Meters for all!”Meters for all!”

Inform people about their cheapest and safer Inform people about their cheapest and safer energy use options.energy use options.

Recognise that land and housing issues, and income-earning opportunities, are at the forefront here.

In this contextIn this context

What do you see?What do you see?

Thousands of people are affected by fires.Thousands of people are affected by fires.