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LPG as a cooking fuel option for India

2004; Elsevier BV; Volume: 8; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0973-0826(08)60471-8

0973-0826

Antonette D’Sa, K. V. Narasimha Murthy,

Global Energy and Sustainability Research

The use of clean fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of the biomass-based fuels used for cooking in India would be beneficial in several ways. However, only about 33.6 million or 17.5% of all Indian homes use LPG as their primary cooking fuel, with 90% of rural homes still dependent on some form of biomass. Hence this paper considers the possibility of enhancing the household use of LPG. From an overview of the cooking fuels used in India, it focuses on LPG, analysing the factors affecting current demand and projecting future scenarios. Salient features of the LPG supply and distribution system are also discussed. On the basis of the existing situation, barriers to increasing LPG use — in particular, the problems regarding affordability, pricing and reliable distribution — have been identified. In this context, experiences with the expansion of household LPG use in other countries and a programme in India have been considered. Finally, on the basis of the challenges recognised, suggestions are being made regarding the policies through which the problems can be overcome.