What happens after electrification? Exploring the evolution of appliance adoption in rural Kenya
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13066025 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Leticia Tomas Fillol (0000-0003-1713-3734, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, corresponding author), Antti Pinomaa (0000-0001-7620-1114, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology), Nicolò Stevanato (0000-0002-3419-0389, Politecnico di Milano), Riccardo Mereu (0000-0003-0544-595X, Politecnico di Milano), Samuli Honkapuro (0000-0001-8761-474X, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 122 |
| Pages | 104015-104015 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-12 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Energy Research & Social Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2214-6296 • E-ISSN: 2214-6326 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104015 |
| OpenAlex | W4408351461 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Design and dimensioning of off-grid power systems require a deep understanding of how electricity demand develops over time. However, a notable knowledge gap exists regarding how electricity loads evolve, particularly in remote areas of developing countries. This paper presents a granular analysis of appliance uptake through a case study in rural Kenya, and aims to provide real-world evidence to enhance demand forecasting in similar contexts. The study focuses on a mini-grid project and evaluates the evolution of appliance ownership during the early years following electrification. It examines differences between households with home businesses and standard households, i.e., those without income-generation activities at home, complemented by an exploration of the role of microfinance. The analysis is based on household-level survey data collected from the field. The findings highlight that establishing home businesses, access to microfinancing, and the prior presence of power systems are key drivers of faster appliance adoption. However, appliance adoption is gradual but slow, with many households owning only basic appliances even several years after gaining access to electricity. Households engaged in income-generating activities and utilizing microfinance are more likely to acquire welfare appliances at an earlier stage
Economic growth · Economics · Electrical engineering · Electricity · Electrification · Geography · Natural resource economics · Rural electrification · Socioeconomics · Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure · Energy and Environment Impacts · Engineering · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
Partial Proportional Odds Models for Ordinal Response Variables
A study of appliance ownership and electricity consumption determinants in urban Ghanaian households
Fuelling women's empowerment? An exploration of the linkages between gender, entrepreneurship and access to energy in the informal food sector
Inclusiveness by design? Reviewing sustainable electricity access and entrepreneurship from a gender perspective
Household willingness to pay for improving electricity services in Sumba Island, Indonesia
Promoting novelty, rigor, and style in energy social science
To climb or not to climb? Investigating energy use behaviour among Solar Home System adopters through energy ladder and social practice lens
White goods for white people? Drivers of electric appliance growth in emerging economies
Quantifying Energy Consumption in Household Surveys
| Highly cited | No |
|---|