Common factors and major characteristics of household energy consumption in comparatively well-off rural China

Common factors that influence Chinese rural household energy consumption are proposed and major demand characteristics of well-off rural areas are analyzed on the basis of survey data. A system of major characteristic indicators for rural household energy consumption includes effective heat consumption for livelihood per capita per day (EHC), the proportion of commercial energy in EHC (PCE) and annual electricity consumption for livelihood per capita (AEC). Typical values in three economic regions (out-of-poverty, well-off and rich areas) of China are also given. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.