Household energy practices in Imizamo Yethu Bill Cowan

1. “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

2. Imizamo Yethu is … • A residential community near Hout Bay (Cape Peninsula). • Home to about ten thousand people, mainly low-income.

3. The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape. • But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there.

4. The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape. • But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there. One of the main reasons for choosing to live in Imizamo Yethu:the search for better work and income opportunities

5. The majority of the adult residents came to Imizamo Yethu from rural areas of the Eastern Cape. • But there are people from other parts of South Africa, and a number of other African countries, living there. Another reason: it is a relatively peaceful area.

6. Land is very scarce in Imizamo Yethu. • The search for work / income, and the search for housing, are related.

7. Imizamo Yethu is … • Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. • Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were forced to live.

8. Imizamo Yethu is … • Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. • Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were forced to live. The name means “by our own efforts”, in isiXhosa.

9. Imizamo Yethu is … • Considered a “place of choice” by some residents. • Unlike many apartheid-era townships, where people were forced to live. The name means “by our own efforts”, in isiXhosa. Another name is “Mandela Park”.

10. Types of housing • Formal houses – brick. • Self-built houses – mainly wood and steel. • “Back-yard shacks”.

11. Types of energy access • Closely related to the types of housing. • And dominated by the types of access (or lack of access) to electricity.

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

13. Types of energy access: • About 70% of households have access to electricity. • Not accurate, not static. • Houses without a formal, metered electricity supply are mainly: • On parts of land which have not been approved for settlement, or • Back-yard shacks without their own metered supply

14. Types of electricity access: • Formal electricity supplies. • Generally with pre-payment meters. • Informal electricity supplies. • Generally paid for (and usually more expensive, per unit). • Extension cords. “On-selling” electricity. • No electricity access. • Main fuel: paraffin (kerosene).

15. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels.

16. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels. TYPICAL ENERGY PRICES in Imizamo Yethu, 2008: • Electricity 60 cents / kWh ( ~ 6 US cents) • Paraffin R11 / litre ( ~ 110 US cents) • LPGas R20 / kg ( ~ 200 US cents)

17. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • Example: cooking a pot of Umngqusho (samp and beans) using different fuels. APPROXIMATE COOKING ENERGY COSTS (for four servings): • Electricity: 60 SA cents, or less • Paraffin: about 200 SA cents • LPGas: about 250 SA cents (using typical stoves)

18. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • In this context, choosing the “cheapest” fuel has the greatest impact on household energy bills. • For lighting … no contest. • Electricity and CFLs (where available) • For cooking and heating … • Actually difficult for people to judge. • Some people still think that it is cheaper to cook long slow meals using paraffin or LPGas

19. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a paraffin heater. Greasing the pot

20. What does this mean, for household energy costs? • Example: cooking Umbhako (pot bread) on a paraffin heater. Lighting the paraffin heater Cooking for 4 hours..! Paraffin cost: about R9 Electricity cost: about R1 (on a good stove)

21. Over the course of a week:Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs Her meals (for herself and two children)

23. Over the course of a week:Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs Using normal electricity: about R4 per week, R25 per month (or less) If she used paraffin about R82 per month If she used LPGas about R88 per month at typical 2008 energy prices

24. Over the course of a week:Nolitha Mxenyane’s cooking energy costs If she used “informal” electricity: maybe R50 per month? If she used paraffin about R82 per month If she used LPGas about R88 per month at typical 2008 energy prices

25. In this contextSome policy pointers, to alleviate poverty • Maximise formal electricity supply. • The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable and effective. • “Meters for all!” • Inform people about their cheapest and safer energy use options.

26. In this contextSome policy pointers, to alleviate poverty • Maximise formal electricity supply. • The “Free Basic Electricity” subsidy is valuable and effective. • “Meters for all!” • Inform people about their cheapest and safer energy use options. Recognise that land and housing issues, and income-earning opportunities, are at the forefront here.

27. In this contextWhat do you see? • Thousands of people are affected by fires.