Energy is arguable one of the major challenges the world faces today, touching all
aspects of our lives. Energy forms an integral input to the primary development
challenge of providing sufficient food, shelter, clothing, hot water, sanitation,
medical care, education and access to information (Reddy, 2008). The energy
dimension of poverty known as energy poverty prevents individuals from the
benefits that access to modern energy brings. Energy poverty is a lack of choice in
accessing adequate, reliable, good quality, safe and environmental benign energy
services to sustain economic and human development (UNDP, 2000). Since energy is
essential for human development, the challenge lies to the over 1.4 billion
population worldwide who lack access to modern energy (UNDP, 2010).
Similarly, energy poverty prevails in South Africa in spite of the spectacular
progress made since 1994 in service delivery. According to StatsSA (2009), 18% of
South Africa’s population lack access to modern energy and 70% of rural
households’ still rely on wood fuel and paraffin, and this is in spite of the fact that
some have electricity. Furthermore, Cowan and Mohlakoana (2005) argue that
energy poverty is manifest in poor households using multiple sources of energy to
meet basic energy needs. Provision of adequate and affordable energy is integral to
poverty alleviation, improving human welfare and increasing living standards
(UNDP, 2000).