Assessment of Household Energy Poverty and Its Economic Implications in Rural Kaduna State

Energy poverty, the lack of access to modern and affordable energy services, constrains productive economic activities in rural households, and assessing its extent and economic implications in Kaduna State provides evidence for energy access policy. This study assessed household energy poverty and its economic implications in rural communities in Chikun, Kajuru, and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas, Kaduna State. A cross-sectional survey of 280 rural households was conducted. Data covered energy access type, kerosene and firewood expenditure, generator usage and fuel costs, productive hours lost to energy deficiency, and income. The Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index adapted for the Nigerian context was computed. Results showed that 74.3 percent of surveyed households were energy-poor by MEPI criteria. Household energy expenditure averaged 18.7 percent of total expenditure, crowding out food and education spending. Productive hours lost per week due to inadequate lighting averaged 4.8 hours per household. Charcoal and firewood use by 68.4 percent of households was associated with respiratory health costs averaging N14,400 annually. Off-grid solar adoption was minimal at 8.6 percent. Income generation capacity was 32 percent lower for energy-poor households than those with grid access. The study concludes that energy poverty is widespread and economically costly in rural Kaduna State. Recommendations include rural solar electrification through the Rural Electrification Agency, subsidised solar home systems for low-income rural households, and connecting dispersed productive activities to reliable energy through mini-grids.

Keywords: energy poverty, rural households, Kaduna State, MEPI, productive capacity