Abstract:
Energy is an essential requirement for today’s day to day life. It is necessary to all of us for
lighting, cooking, transportation, health service and fulfilling many of our basic needs. Choices
of energy sources in a household are affected by many reasons. The main Objective of the study
was to study the impact of the socio economic factors on the energy consumption of the rural
households. Primary data were collected using questionnaires filled by the rural sector using 50
households in Puttalam district. The secondary data were collected using books, magazines,
central bank reports. The multiple regression model and Chi-square test were used to analysis
the data. There were 92% of electricity users in rural sector. Considering the Per Capita Energy
Consumption Expenditure in rural sector, it was recorded as Rs.596.36. Energy expenditure of
the rural sector households was Rs. 2481. Kerosene usage and dry cell battery usage were high
in the rural sector. Solar power, which was used by 8% of the households in the rural sector.
Lack of an electricity connection also contributes to lower energy spending among the rural
poor. According to the survey results, number of family members, monthly income, Ownership
of vehicles, education level of the head of family, number of school children, Types of vehicle
were the significant factors to changing energy consumption expenditure of households in rural
sector. Government should identify the possibilities to develop sustainable energy sources such
as wind and solar and should introduce alternative energy sources to reduce the cost.
