Evaluation of social, economic and environmental impacts of rural electrification in Bhutan | |
| Author | Acharya, Pushpa Lal |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-19-21 |
| Subject(s) | Rural electrification--Social aspects--Developing countries Rural electrification--Bhutan--Statistics |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The research study focuses on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of rural electrification on health, education and income of Bhutanese living in the rural communities. It also looks at the impact variation in the south and north of the country and estimates the income elasticity of electricity demand in rural households. The findings are the outcome of survey conducted in two districts of Bhutan. Several tests and analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software reveal the multiple advantages of rural electrification, which contribute to improving the living conditions of rural people. A beneficial health effect has been noted at the family level as cooking shifts from smoke-producing stoves to electrical appliances. The use of electricity in health facilities has eased the storage of drugs and vaccines and made health delivery more effective. The school going children spend more hours studying at home in the evening with the use of electricity. Estimated income elasticity of demand for electricity shows that electricity is a necessity for rural people. Higher impacts on health and education are observed in southern Bhutan compared to northern Bhutan. However, income elasticity of electricity demand is found to be higher in the north because of higher income. |
| Year | 2019 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy and Environment (EE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dhakal, Shobhakar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Roy, Joyashree;Singh, Jai Govind; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Bhutan Power Corporation Limited ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2019 |