Factors affecting electricity consumption of residential consumers in Cambodia

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper attempted to examine major factors that affect the electricity consumption of residential consumer type in Cambodia by observing through two approaches, socio-economic and direct-use perspectives. The end-use model and stepwise linear regression analysis were applied. The residential consumers were categorized into three levels of household income, such as; high, medium and low. The results of the actual data from survey questionnaire illustrated that determinant factors of electricity usage depended on the income level. High income households consumed 52% in residential sector, more than medium and low income households which had 34% and 14%, respectively. The regression analysis expressed, from socio-economic factors, the electricity consumption of residents had significantly been influenced by total monthly income, level of education and number of people per household. In direct-use perspective, comfort appliances consumed the most energy for 40.53% of total monthly consumption. It followed by cooking appliances with 33.53%, and recreation used 10.9% in the household. Lighting system required 7.85%; hence, the least consumed energy materials were cleaning-use, only 7.19% of total monthly usage. The residential consumers could wisely consume their monthly electricity consumption by saving on the affected factors.