Locked-in to Dirty Fuel for Cooking: A Micro-Ethnographic Study in a Rural Area in Nusa Tenggara Timur,Indonesia

Abstract

Ensuring sufficient access to clean and safe energy is a pre-requisite for enhancing the quality of human life. However, in some regions, such as Pitai village in Nusa Tenggara Timur, East Indonesia, people face challenges in accessing safe and clean energy, leading to the problem of energy poverty. Despite the government’s introduction of LPG in 2007, many households in Pitai continue to rely on firewood for cooking fuel. This article aims to investigate why most rural households in Pitai, Kupang and Nusa Tenggara Timur are still trapped in using dirty fuels like firewood, and how they perceived and accepted LPG after the national transition programme. To achieve this, a micro-ethnography study was conducted in Pitai village. The study’s results reveal that most of the community still prefers using firewood, which is more comfortable than LPG. Additionally, an inadequate supply of LPG, coupled with the abandonment of the firewood supply, has led to a lack of interest in adopting LPG. Consequently, the price of LPG remains higher than that of firewood, further discouraging its adoption. Addressing the issue of energy poverty in Pitai requires a comprehensive approach by the government involving providing adequate LPG supply and initiatives to raise awareness and change perceptions about LPG usage. By overcoming these challenges, the community can transition towards cleaner and safer energy sources, improving their overall quality of life. On the other hand, the government must address the accessibility and affordability of the LPG supply chain to inland areas, taking into account the challenges posed by the archipelagic nature of the country.