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 nonfunctionality. 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.