Alternate energy sources for lighting among rural households in the Himalayan region of Pakistan: Access and impact

This paper analyzes the alternate energy option for lighting among rural households in the Himalayan region of Pakistan using a primary dataset collected from 500 households from the seven districts of Gilgit-Baltistan regions. A multivariate probit model was employed for examining the determinants of use of different sources of energy and a Poisson regression to estimate the number of alternate sources of energy used for lighting by the rural households. The propensity score matching (PSM) approach was employed to assess the impact of electricity as a source of light for the use of household appliances as well as providing light for evening work. Empirical results show the rural households in the study area use five different sources of energy for lighting, namely electricity, kerosene, candles, solar energy and batteries. Education and wealth play an important role in the use of clean sources of energy for light. The PSM results indicated a positive impact of electricity on the use of appliances, as well as on more extended working hours in the households in this Himalayan region.