222
C. Nabukalu and R. Giere
leaving “modern” alternatives relevant only for purposes that charcoal
cannot serve, such as lighting, cooling or refrigeration.
By contrast, the charcoal supply chain presents a very different reality:
High consumption does, in fact match, if not surpass, high demand
projections. This makes charcoal production attractive, increasing its
ubiquity as well as its reliability for consumers, thus undercutting electricity’s share as an energy alternative in the market. The idea that more
electricity generation would reduce charcoal demand and consumption, and therefore ‘energy poverty’, in Africa is grossly unfounded. As
sub-Saharan economies continue to pursue and heavily invest in more
electrification, directing this goal to the aim of supplanting solid biomass
fuels is futile, because electricity faces stiff competition from charcoal
on the basis of functionality, value and reliability where grids exist,
despite the increasing ability of the populations to afford it. Moreover,
increasing the availability of any energy commodity is, by itself, not a
sufficient cause for its consumption over existing alternatives, especially
because consumers compare alternatives based on critical factors such as
functionality, price or convenience as they determine everyday energy
choices.
References
Africa Oil and Power. (2018). Major Renewable Energy Projects in Africa.
Retrieved March 31, 2020, from africaoilandpower.com: https://www.africa
oilandpower.com/2018/02/27/major-renewable-projects-in-africa/.
Akpalu, W., Dasmani, I., & Aglobitse, P. (2011). Demand for cooking fuels
in a developing country: To what extent do taste and preferences matter?
Energy Policy, 39 (10), 6525–6531.
Alem, S., Duraisamy, J., Legesse, E., Seboka, Y. & Mitiku, E. (2010). Wood
charcoal supply to Addis Ababa city and its effect on the environment.
Energy & Environment, 21(6), 601–609.
Alfaro, J. F., & Jones, B. (2018). Social and environmental impacts of charcoal production in Liberia: Evidence from the field. Energy for Sustainable
Development, 47 , 124–132.
C. Nabukalu and R. Giere
leaving “modern” alternatives relevant only for purposes that charcoal
cannot serve, such as lighting, cooling or refrigeration.
By contrast, the charcoal supply chain presents a very different reality:
High consumption does, in fact match, if not surpass, high demand
projections. This makes charcoal production attractive, increasing its
ubiquity as well as its reliability for consumers, thus undercutting electricity’s share as an energy alternative in the market. The idea that more
electricity generation would reduce charcoal demand and consumption, and therefore ‘energy poverty’, in Africa is grossly unfounded. As
sub-Saharan economies continue to pursue and heavily invest in more
electrification, directing this goal to the aim of supplanting solid biomass
fuels is futile, because electricity faces stiff competition from charcoal
on the basis of functionality, value and reliability where grids exist,
despite the increasing ability of the populations to afford it. Moreover,
increasing the availability of any energy commodity is, by itself, not a
sufficient cause for its consumption over existing alternatives, especially
because consumers compare alternatives based on critical factors such as
functionality, price or convenience as they determine everyday energy
choices.
References
Africa Oil and Power. (2018). Major Renewable Energy Projects in Africa.
Retrieved March 31, 2020, from africaoilandpower.com: https://www.africa
oilandpower.com/2018/02/27/major-renewable-projects-in-africa/.
Akpalu, W., Dasmani, I., & Aglobitse, P. (2011). Demand for cooking fuels
in a developing country: To what extent do taste and preferences matter?
Energy Policy, 39 (10), 6525–6531.
Alem, S., Duraisamy, J., Legesse, E., Seboka, Y. & Mitiku, E. (2010). Wood
charcoal supply to Addis Ababa city and its effect on the environment.
Energy & Environment, 21(6), 601–609.
Alfaro, J. F., & Jones, B. (2018). Social and environmental impacts of charcoal production in Liberia: Evidence from the field. Energy for Sustainable
Development, 47 , 124–132.