The Transition of Household Energy Use in Cambodia Since 2004: Trends, Patterns, and Determinants

Dil Bahadur Rahut (), Panharoth Chhay (), Pritha Datta and Bhagirath Behera ()
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Dil Bahadur Rahut: Asian Development Bank Institute, Tokyo, Japan
Panharoth Chhay: Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Pritha Datta: Department of Policy and Management Studies, TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India
Bhagirath Behera: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

Asian Development Review (ADR), 2025, vol. 42, issue 03, 51-70

Abstract: Transitioning to clean energy use is crucial for reducing emissions and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in developing nations like Cambodia, where many still rely on dirty fuels. This study uses multivariate probit and censored tobit models to investigate the factors that affect the choice and share of different fuels to the total fuel expenditure of households in Cambodia. Results indicate that rural households predominantly use wood, whereas the urban households favor electricity. Higher education, assets, and per capita expenses increase the likelihood of adopting clean energy sources such as liquefied petroleum gas and electricity. The findings also suggest a gradual shift from dirty fuels like charcoal, wood, and kerosene to cleaner alternatives. Policymakers can expedite this transition through subsidies, tax incentives, public–private partnerships, awareness campaigns, promotion of nonfarm employment, and research into the local energy usage. These measures would make clean energy more accessible and foster sustainable energy practices across Cambodia.

Keywords: Cambodia; clean energy; determinants; Southeast Asia; transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: P28 Q42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1142/S0116110525500155

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