What Inspires Electricity Crises at the Micro Level: Empirical Evidence from Electricity Consumption Pattern of Households from Karachi

The present study uses the conditional demand model to analyse end use electricity demand. It also uses Binary logistic model to find out likelihood of households being affected from electricity crises. The model also uses household’s characteristics and ownership of modern appliances as determinants of electricity crises. The study employs cross-sectional data collected from Karachi, Pakistan, in 2013. The results from two-sample t-test show that a gender-specific difference exists in the holding of air-conditioners, dryers and washing machines. The estimates of the conditional demand model infer that electricity demand depends on end use of electricity in Karachi, and dwelling type, household size and income interact with end use electricity consumption. The estimates of logistic model imply that male-headed and households who protest in the streets have lower probability of getting affected from electricity breakdown than female-headed and passive households. In addition, household with limited or no alternate provisions during electricity load shedding is more vulnerable to electricity breakdown. The study suggests to focus on the role of demand-side management by motivating electricity conservation at the household level and legislation against power theft to redress problems caused by electricity breakdown