Assessment Of The Potential Adoption Of Liquefied Petroleum Gas For Cooking In Urban Households And Institutions In Malawi

Abstract

More than 96% of Malawians relied on wood fuels (firewood and charcoal) for cooking and heating in 2018. About 4 million people in the country now use charcoal for cooking in urban areas which; has led to loss of forests resulting into increased run off, siltation of rivers and consequently depletion of water resources in lakes and rivers in Malawi. This research aimed to assess the potential adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an alternative fuel to charcoal and firewood. Slovin’s Formula was used to calculate sample size in which a total of 1200 households were interviewed. Further laboratory tests showed LPG as more efficient as a cooking fuel than electricity, charcoal, and firewood. Thermal efficiencies were recorded as LPG 68.1% (6kg LPG stove), electricity 56.2 (2kw hot plate), firewood 25.3%, improved firewood stove and Charcoal 23.2%, improved charcoal stove. The surveys conducted found that institutions used multiple cooking fuels depending on factors such as availability and cost. While electricity was the most preferred cooking fuel by institutions (54.5%), LPG was reported as the back-up fuel for 100% of the institutions surveyed. LPG is perceived as an affordable fuel option by 26.3% of the institutions surveyed. At the household level LPG-users reported benefits of efficiency (39%); reliability (37%) and cleanliness (27%). While the majority of high income urban households use electricity for cooking, the majority of low and medium income urban households use charcoal for cooking. The research highlighted limited knowledge of LPG efficiency and safety among potential users. These barriers to LPG uptake are compounded by the fact that LPG is perceived to be more expensive than other cooking fuels, there is less LPG supply, and the LPG distribution network is less developed than other cooking fuels. Despite these challenges, the market assessment revealed considerable potential for LPG market growth in Malawi, especially in urban areas where prices of charcoal continue to grow. intermittent electricity supply and low cost have proven to be key drivers of LPG demand. The researcher recommends that the Government of Malawi through MBS and MERA, facilitate harmonization of local and international standards of LPG gas handling and distribution to effectively support and regulate the sector. In conclusion to ensure Malawi’s energy/environmental security, it is imperative that alternative cooking fuels (such as LPG) be promoted, incentivized, and adopted in Malawian household.