The Impact of Biogas Technology on Rural Household Energy Needs: The Case of Adea Weredas, Oromia Region

Abstract

Because of the domestic energy predicaments, rural households suffer disproportionately from the problems of ever deteriorating potentials of traditional fuels and the multiple adverse effects of its utilization mainly for cooking and lighting. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of biogas technology on household energy needs, in the case of Adea District, Central Ethiopia. The study emphasized and summarized the impact of domestic biogas on households' domestic energy needs mainly through the minimization of the multiple adverse impacts of the consumptions & the collection of inferior fuels for their domestic energy needs. The study employed a Quasi-Experimental approach using descriptive and inferential statistics for the analysis and interpretation of the study by the use of both qualitative and quantitative data. The study results showed that by using biogas energy, household's consumptions and expenses for fuel woods, cooking time & time taken for fuel collection; CH4 and CO2 emissions decreased. The study also disclosed the existence of weak process evaluations, insufficient attention given to the human dimension of energy use, product development, and supply chain gaps which resulted in a high rate of non-functionality. Product development and marketing, strengthening process evaluation, and paying sufficient attention to the human dimension of energy use will sustain the utilization, maximize the benefits and proliferate its dissemination. Finally, the study tries to inform the concerned bodies to set up biogas energy initiatives and other stakeholders to have access to valuable data.