An investigation on impact of rural electrification on improving standards of living in rural areas of Trincomalee district

Abstract

This study investigates on Rural Electrification (RE). RE programs were implemented in Trincomalee District played crucial role on beneficiaries to uplift their standards of living. It may takes lengthier time to receive benefits back from specific RE program even though this study addressed recent RE programs till 2012 such dramatic changes incurred Standards of Living of RE beneficiaries. Sri Lanka was going in a track towards fast growth in economic point of view. This situation stimulated foreign investments on RE based programs in remote areas.

RE facilitated rural people to consume electrification at a least cost. RE supported to reduce illegal electricity consumption and switching of alternative expensive energy sources because RE helps to fill the gap on demand created by electricity consumers. RE played an anchor role in providing job opportunities, children education, household uses, health based uses and street lighting.

This study reveals there was a significant impact of RE on standards of living. RE measured by Household, Industrial and Commercial factors. Standards of Living measured by Income generation, House hold uses, Contribution to Education; Health based uses and Employment Opportunity. Specially, respondents selected from RE beneficiaries perceived that RE significantly impact on income generation efforts and household uses in Trincomalee context. This was implying positive perception over recent implementation of RE.

Methodology indicates the correlation of the independent variable with the dependent variable, correlations among the independent variable is taken into account. The R Square which is explained the variance in Rural Electrifications has been significantly explained by the independent variable.

Finally, Stands of Living consists of variety of determinants but, this study selected factor that matching with RE situation in Trincomalee context at the same time majority of respondents pay less attention over RE efforts providing job opportunities so, future implementation may take this regards. This study came to a conclusion that recent implemented of RE in Trincomalee perceived positively impact on Standards of Living of it's* beneficiaries significantly.