Electricity Conservation among Rural Households in Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District in the Northeast Region of Ghana

Abstract

Residential energy use contributes significantly to the world's energy demand. It makes up 20% of all energy use. It is expected to rise by 40% by 2040 in developing nations due to urbanization. The adoption of energy conservation measures presents the possibility of reducing electricity consumption by reducing the price and quantity of electricity required by households. This paper examines the nature of electricity conservation among rural households in Ghana. The study was conducted through the administration of questionnaires to 156 households in six rural communities. The findings revealed that the average household size in the study area is above the national average, which affects electricity conservation practices. Level of education was found to have an influence on conservation practices; those who have attained some form of formal education adopted conservation practices. Many of the households did not know that a change in electricity saving behaviour reduces electricity consumption. Therefore, there is a need for the Ghanaian government and the electricity service providers to conduct periodic awareness campaigns in rural areas to educate them about electricity conservation and save energy waste.