Comparative Life Cycle and Social Cost Analysis of Household Cooking Fuels in Ghana: Implications for Clean Energy Transitions.

Abstract

This study compares the costs of household cooking fuels in Ghana, focusing on biomass briquettes as an alternative. Using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Social LCCA (S-LCCA), six cooking systems were evaluated under discount rates of 5%, 10%, and 15%, incorporating capital, operational, maintenance, and replacement costs alongside social externalities such as carbon emissions and health impacts. Results indicate that LPG and improved cookstoves(Gyapa) with charcoal offer the lowest and most stable life-cycle costs. While firewood appears cheapest financially, its overall affordability declines when environmental and health costs are considered. Biomass briquettes, though nearly carbon-neutral, are less competitive due to high fuel costs. Sensitivity analysis shows LPG and Gyapa stoves are most resilient to cost variations. The study highlights the need for policy support, briquette cost implications, and awareness to advance clean cooking transitions