Analyzing Trends in Appliance Ownership and the Residential Electricity Consumption in Rural India: A Case Study of Maharashtra State

Residential electricity consumption in India contributes to nearly one fourth of the total electricity consumption. Electrification has a key role in rural development; however, the translation of electrification into appliance ownership and rural development remains understudied across times. This study aims to understand the appliance ownership and electricity consumption trends in rural Maharashtra using household-level data. The study presents an analysis of appliance ownership and usage hours of fans, televisions (TV), air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and air coolers. The data reveal significant disparities between urban and rural areas, with an overall increase in appliance ownership over time. Light and fan ownership have high ownership levels followed by televisions. Air conditioners and washing machines observed to be least owned appliances. The spatial distribution of appliance ownership and electricity consumption revealed various disparities among northern and southern states of India. In Maharashtra, Vidarbha region observed to have more cooling appliances especially air cooler as compared to rest of Maharashtra, while refrigerator, washing machines are observed to be highly owned in Western region of Maharashtra. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the dynamics of electricity consumption and appliance ownership.