Consumo residencial de energia e desenvolvimento humano: um estudo da realidade brasileira de 1970 a 2005.

Abstract

In this paper is studied the relationship between the residential consumption of energy and the quality of life for Brazilian conditions in the period between 1970 and 2005. As indicators of quality of life were used three different indices: Human Development Indexes (HDI), Childhood Index (RDI) and Family Index (IFD). The energy demands for the residential sector were broken down into its components (electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and firewood), calculated in terms of useful energy. For electricity and LPG, there was a positive correlation, while for firewood there was a negative correlation. During the period evaluated occurred contexts of contraction of the energy demand per capita, however did not showing correspondent reductions in the quality of life, indicating the opportunity to promote the rational use of energy without loss of quality of life. They were analyzed energy policies aimed at federal level for the residential sector, particularly the programs of rural electrification, the subsidized rates to low levels of consumption and the “Auxilio-Gás”, then incorporated the “Bolsa-família”, allowing determine the benefit associated with these policies to quality of life of the Brazilian population. It is concluded that the increases in residential consumption of useful energy, as well as energy policies made by the federal government in recent times have contributed to the improvement of the quality of life of the people, especially the low-income, in Brazil since 1970 to 2005.