ABSTRACT Energy plays critical direct and indirect roles in the livelihoods of human beings. Despite its relevance, the literature highlights that a majority of rural households are energy insecure and very much rely on unclean energy sources that compromise their health. Against this background, this paper estimates the determinants of energy security at the household level based on evidence from Melani-inland and Hamburg-coastal communities in the rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI) to calculate the energy security status of households in the two communities while the Tobit regression model was used to investigate the main factors affecting household energy security. The results indicated that in both communities, households were energy secure. However, access to additional energy measures was low, which could affect their energy security if the primary source (ESKOM electricity) is interrupted. Tobit regression results revealed that factors like marital status, household size, electricity affordability and source of income are the most critical factors influencing the energy security status of households in the study areas. Therefore, the paper recommends policy options that improve access of rural households to additional measures on energy and affordability of electricity.

中文翻译：

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农村家庭能源安全的决定因素：南非东开普省梅拉尼和汉堡社区的案例

摘要 能源在人类的生计中起着至关重要的直接和间接作用。尽管具有相关性，但文献强调大多数农村家庭的能源不安全，并且非常依赖不清洁的能源，这会损害他们的健康。在此背景下，本文根据南非东开普省农村梅拉尼内陆和汉堡沿海社区的证据，估计了家庭层面能源安全的决定因素。研究采用多维能源贫困指数(MEPI)计算两个社区家庭能源安全状况，采用Tobit回归模型调查影响家庭能源安全的主要因素。结果表明，在这两个社区中，家庭都是能源安全的。然而，获得额外能源措施的机会很少，如果主要来源（ESKOM 电力）中断，这可能会影响他们的能源安全。Tobit 回归结果显示，婚姻状况、家庭规模、电力负担能力和收入来源等因素是影响研究区家庭能源安全状况的最关键因素。因此，本文提出了一些政策选择，以改善农村家庭获得有关能源和电力可负担性的额外措施的机会。电力负担能力和收入来源是影响研究区家庭能源安全状况的最关键因素。因此，本文提出了一些政策选择，以改善农村家庭获得有关能源和电力可负担性的额外措施的机会。电力负担能力和收入来源是影响研究区家庭能源安全状况的最关键因素。因此，本文提出了一些政策选择，以改善农村家庭获得有关能源和电力可负担性的额外措施的机会。