Browsing by Author "Prasad, G"

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    Does access to electricity enable the uptake of small and medium enterprises in South Africa
    (Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town., 2007) Prasad, G; Dieden, S
    South Africa increased its electrification coverage from 36% to over 70% in the last 12 years. Predominantly poor areas, to which service provision was neglected in the past, got access to electricity. The socio-political benefits of the national electrification programme are documented, but the economic benefits which are generally assumed have not yet been analysed in detail. This paper explores how far existing surveys provide data on the impact of electrification on the uptake of small and medium enterprises or self-employment among households. We analyse nationwide household survey data from 1995 to 2004. Variation in electrification rates among households seems correlated with SMME uptake, but the nature of the association varies across regions and appears to display differing trends over time. A trend of positive correlation of SMMEs and electricity access in poor rural areas does seem apparent.
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    Energy sector reform, energy transitions and the poor in Africa
    (Elsevier, 2008) Prasad, G
    There is little systematic information about the impact of energy sector reform on all sources and methods of energy utilised or potentially utilised by the poor. It is not sufficiently known what fuels the poor use, if a larger range of fuels becomes available and affordable and if barriers to access and consumption are reduced. A detailed assessment is presented for four countries, three in Africa (Botswana, Ghana and Senegal) and for comparison one in Latin America (Honduras), of steps taken to reform the energy sector and their effect on various groups of poor households. The paper analyses the pattern of energy supply to, and use by, poor households and explores the link—or its absence—to energy policy. We investigate what works for the poor and which type of reforms and implementation are effective and lead to a transition to more efficient and clean fuels from which the poor benefit. Energy sector reforms when adjusted to the specific conditions of the poor have a positive impact on access and use of clean, safe and efficient fuels. The poor are using gradually less wood as cooking fuel. Gas and kerosene are made more widely available through market liberalisation and subsidy in the particular case of Senegal. Electricity access and use is generally promoted or subsidised through changes in payment conditions and lifeline tariffs.