2007年-世界发展银行全球_Timor_Leste_-_Issues_and_Options_in_the_Household_Energy_Sector___A_Scoping_Study_49页_1mb

Summary of the Household Energy Sector in Timor Leste

Core Content

This scoping study, conducted between November 2006 and May 2007, examines the current patterns of household energy use in Timor Leste, with a focus on biomass fuels. The report outlines the challenges and opportunities related to fuelwood consumption, the role of modern fuels, and the potential benefits of improved cookstoves.

Main Points

1. Biomass Fuels and Their Role

• Biomass fuels include wood, charcoal, agricultural residues (e.g., rice husks, coconut shells, coffee residues), and other burnable materials.
• Fuelwood is the dominant cooking fuel, used by 98.7% of households in the surveyed areas.
• Charcoal, agricultural residues, kerosene, and electricity are used by a small percentage of households.
• LPG is virtually unused, and modern fuels play an insignificant role in household cooking due to cost and availability.

2. Household Characteristics and Energy Consumption

• The average household size in surveyed areas is about 7.6 persons, with 82.2% of households having children under 9 years old.
• Most households earn less than $100 per month, indicating a high level of poverty.
• Fuelwood consumption is high, with an average of 6.7 kg per household per day, and rural households consume more (7.9 kg/day) than urban ones (5.4 kg/day).
• The time spent cooking is similar between urban and rural households (around 3 hours per day), but rural households in Liquica spend less (2 hours 14 minutes) due to lower food consumption or less availability of fuelwood.

3. Fuelwood Supply and Demand

• Fuelwood collection is common in rural areas, with 90% of the poorest rural households collecting fuelwood.
• Urban households mostly purchase fuelwood, with roadside traders being the most common source (75.7% of all households).
• The average price of fuelwood in urban areas is 9.3 cents per kg, while in rural areas it is 7.9 cents per kg.
• The total fuelwood consumption in the country is estimated at 600,000 tonnes per year, accounting for 51.9% of the total useful energy from all fuels.

4. Burning Issues

• Traditional three-stone stoves are widely used and have a low efficiency (around 15%), leading to significant energy waste.
• Deforestation and land degradation are concerns, with FAO estimating the loss of about 3,000 hectares annually.
• Health issues from indoor air pollution are a major concern, particularly for women who cook in enclosed kitchens.
• Improved cookstoves can reduce pollution and improve efficiency, but their adoption is limited due to high costs and market barriers.

5. Fuelwood Markets

• The commercial fuelwood trade in Timor Leste is valued at about $6 million annually.
• Approximately 5,700 people are employed full-time in the fuelwood sector.
• Urban households tend to purchase fuelwood from a variety of sources, including hand-cart/peddlers, neighborhood stores, and roadside traders.
• Rural households are more reliant on local collection from natural forests, which are the most common source.

6. Survey Methodology and Limitations

• A total of 865 households were surveyed in Dili, Baucau, and three rural districts.
• The survey was limited in scope and not statistically representative of the entire country.
• Fuelwood demand data was based on the 2001 TLSS, which was found insufficient for detailed analysis.
• Supply estimates were derived from land use data and forest inventory assumptions due to the lack of current data.

Key Information

• Fuelwood is the most important energy source in Timor Leste, used for cooking by nearly all households.
• Modern fuels are not widely used due to high costs and low income levels.
• Improved cookstoves could significantly reduce wood consumption and health risks, but their adoption is limited due to cost, design, and market factors.
• Poverty, high population density, and limited access to electricity contribute to the continued reliance on fuelwood.
• Fuelwood collection is time-consuming, with rural households spending more time and traveling further than urban ones.
• Environmental concerns such as deforestation and land degradation are linked to fuelwood collection, but the extent of this impact is still under investigation.

Recommendations

• Conduct comprehensive biomass supply and demand assessments.
• Promote improved cookstoves with targeted strategies to overcome local market and cultural barriers.
• Support NGO initiatives and community-based programs that can facilitate the adoption of improved stoves.
• Encourage sustainable forest management practices to mitigate environmental degradation.
• Invest in renewable energy sources and electricity infrastructure to reduce dependence on fuelwood in the long term.

Annexes Mentioned

1. Map of Timor Leste
2. Structure of Fuelwood Markets
3. Consolidated Table of Biomass Supply and Demand
4. International Experience in Woodlots and Agro-forestry
5. Experiences in Improved Stove Dissemination by the World Bank and other Agencies