Exploring the driving factor on prepaid electricity meter rejecting the largest township of South Africa
- Kambule, Njabulo, Yessoufou, Kowiyou, Nwulu, Nnamdi, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Kambule, Njabulo , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Nwulu, Nnamdi , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electricity consumption , Education , Prepaid electricity meter
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/406836 , uj:34221 , Citation: Kambule, N. et al. 2019. Exploring the driving factor on prepaid electricity meter rejecting the largest township of South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Technology rejection phenomenon manifests itself differently across different societies. Over the past two decades, low income households in Soweto have persistently rejected prepaid electricity meters. Until now, the basis of the rejection in the region remains scientifically underexplored. We therefore conduct an exploratory study of pertaining prepaid meter rejection in Soweto. Through triangulation research and survey approach, 88 households based in Orlando East and Diepkloof were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. Our findings show that three aspects contributing to this phenomenon, namely: lack of quality consultation and education, the high levels of electricity consumption, and unattainable politically motivated promises are the main reasons that currently fuel prepaid meter rejection. We emphasise that the current state of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) (2003) policy also fuels rejection, as it remains socio-economically inadequate and irrelevant for indigent households. We therefore note the need for an FBE policy review and update as well as the establishment of a policy monitoring committee to ensure implementation and enforcement.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kambule, Njabulo , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Nwulu, Nnamdi , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electricity consumption , Education , Prepaid electricity meter
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/406836 , uj:34221 , Citation: Kambule, N. et al. 2019. Exploring the driving factor on prepaid electricity meter rejecting the largest township of South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Technology rejection phenomenon manifests itself differently across different societies. Over the past two decades, low income households in Soweto have persistently rejected prepaid electricity meters. Until now, the basis of the rejection in the region remains scientifically underexplored. We therefore conduct an exploratory study of pertaining prepaid meter rejection in Soweto. Through triangulation research and survey approach, 88 households based in Orlando East and Diepkloof were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. Our findings show that three aspects contributing to this phenomenon, namely: lack of quality consultation and education, the high levels of electricity consumption, and unattainable politically motivated promises are the main reasons that currently fuel prepaid meter rejection. We emphasise that the current state of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) (2003) policy also fuels rejection, as it remains socio-economically inadequate and irrelevant for indigent households. We therefore note the need for an FBE policy review and update as well as the establishment of a policy monitoring committee to ensure implementation and enforcement.
- Full Text:
Temporal analysis of electricity consumption for prepaid metered low and high income households in Soweto, South Africa
- Kambule, Njabulo, Yessoufou, Kowiyou, Nwulu, Nnamdi, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Kambule, Njabulo , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Nwulu, Nnamdi , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electricity consumption , High income household , Low income household
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404639 , uj:33942 , Citation : Kambule, N. et al. 2019: Temporal analysis of electricity consumption for prepaid metered low and high income households in Soweto, South Africa. , https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2018.1527983
- Description: Abstract : This study explores the temporal trend in electricity consumption since the introduction of prepaid meters in low income households of Soweto, and compares the findings with high income households. Monthly electricity consumption data (over 96 months: 2007-2014) on 4427 households in Soweto, for both low and high income households, was collected from Eskom. Using a simple linear model to analyse consumption trends in low income households, we ascertain that electricity consumption has decreased by 48% since the inception of prepaid meters. Nonetheless, it is noted that 60% of household incomes are spent on electricity bills, which is way above the threshold set for energy poverty. Comparatively, high income households consume lower electricity than low income households do. Overall, the prepaid meter programme is producing expected results for Eskom but remains a challenge for low income households, which are still entrenched in energy poverty. We call for an energy policy that is tailored for each income groups and the formulation of laws and policies to protect the energy vulnerable households.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kambule, Njabulo , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Nwulu, Nnamdi , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electricity consumption , High income household , Low income household
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404639 , uj:33942 , Citation : Kambule, N. et al. 2019: Temporal analysis of electricity consumption for prepaid metered low and high income households in Soweto, South Africa. , https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2018.1527983
- Description: Abstract : This study explores the temporal trend in electricity consumption since the introduction of prepaid meters in low income households of Soweto, and compares the findings with high income households. Monthly electricity consumption data (over 96 months: 2007-2014) on 4427 households in Soweto, for both low and high income households, was collected from Eskom. Using a simple linear model to analyse consumption trends in low income households, we ascertain that electricity consumption has decreased by 48% since the inception of prepaid meters. Nonetheless, it is noted that 60% of household incomes are spent on electricity bills, which is way above the threshold set for energy poverty. Comparatively, high income households consume lower electricity than low income households do. Overall, the prepaid meter programme is producing expected results for Eskom but remains a challenge for low income households, which are still entrenched in energy poverty. We call for an energy policy that is tailored for each income groups and the formulation of laws and policies to protect the energy vulnerable households.
- Full Text:
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