Exogenous Determinants of Rural Electricity Connection to Residential Consumers in Kasulu District, Tanzania

Abstract

Access to clean and reliable sources of energy like electricity to rural consumers is a pressing issue globally but mostly to the Lowest Economic Developed Countries (LEDCs). Tanzania being among, has special target of connection electricity to rural residents. However, connection of electricity has been overtly explained by various factors. Therefore, this study was conducted specifically to examine how exogenous factors can influence household to connect electricity.  The study design was cross-sectional withy sample size of 250 households connected to electricity. Results from Multiple Regression Model (MRM) indicates that number of households connected to electricity is determined by bureaucratic procedure(p< 0.01), quality of residential house in terms of roof andwalls, distance from power distribution line, materials and technical costs and economic status (p<0.001) had peculiar influence on household to connect electricity. Due to financial constraint, households have devised financial resources mobilization strategies to meet connection costs. These included, taking loans (from banks, savings and credit co-operative societies) and selling assets. However, some household have advantages by having a good number of income contributors. The results for Pearson's Product Moments of Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) showed that there was moderate positive correlation between household income and number of contributors, r=0.354 (p< 0.001). The study concludes that electricity connection at the household should consider safety of consumers; yet consumers residing near the distribution have advantages bound with financial relief for upfront cost. Bureaucratic procedures can scale down number of consumers in rural areas. It is recommended that; the utility supplier should provide more incentive based on flexible power connection procedures. Fixed cost for upfront costs be devised while the utility provider continues carrying service line costs even for those situated far from power lines.