DEFINITIONS

Clean cooking solutions

Fuel-stove combinations that achieve emissions performance measurements of Voluntary
Performance Test (VPT) Tier 4 or higher, following ISO/TR 19867-3:2018

Improved cookstoves (ICS):Fuel-stove combinations based on biomass energy that achieve

emissions performance measurements of VPT Tier 2 or Tier 3, following ISO/TR 19867-3:2018

Cooking solutions
Cooking solutions are referred to as the combination of a cookstove and a type of cooking fuel taken
together

Use of the term ‘Modern’ in relation to cooking energy

In SE4ALL terminology the term ‘Modern energy for cooking’ is understood as including ICS at VPT
Tier 2 or 3 and Clean cooking solutions of VPT Tier 4 and above.

In ESMAP terminology ‘Modern Energy Cooking Services’ (MECS) is defined as a household context
having achieved MTF Tier 4 or above.
 Have key facts ready
Cost of cooking compared to LPG and charcoal and wood –

Cooking cost Per meal eg. 500gm of beans in 2020: Charcoal was (USD 0. 510), LPG (USD 0.34), Hot plate (USD 0.28) EPC
(USD 0.08)
Per month: --- monthly cooking on SHS is (USD 16 to USD 22) using higher efficiency EPCs and on mini-grids monthly
cooking Could be between USD 4 to USD 10 depending on the cooked food and tariff applied.
If we look at monthly cooking cost (based on international averages for cooking energy demand from ESMAP
(2020) and local electricity/fuel prices) – we see that:
 If on the lifeline tariff – cooking with EPC electricity is 5 x cheaper than LPG, and if urban charcoal user, nearly
10 x cheaper per month.
 If on higher normal tariff – cooking with EPC electricity is 40% cheaper than LPG, and if urban charcoal user,
nearly 3 x cheaper per month.
Increased generation capacity in future: 2115 MW Nyerere hydro; 5000MW by
2025/26 according to five-year plan will lead to surplus electricity generation!!
What are minigrids
- Minigrids and SHS are key technologies to meet electricity needs for
those who won’t be connected to the main grid. –
- Minigrids-electrical Generation and distribution systems of less than 10
megawatts (MW)---represent a relatively rapid means of providing
electricity to rural centres that are far from the main grid infrastructure
and unlikely to be connected in the short or medium term.
- Likewise, SHS are small standalone solar PV systems that provide
power for lighting, mobile phone charging and appliances like fans and
television---with the introduction of higher efficiency electric cooking
appliances, they can be used successfully for cooking in areas without
grid electricity.
From our research of minigrids electricity Users.
- Research by MECS has shown that cooking on mini-grids is VIABLE.
- Working on PowerGen mini-grids in Northern Tanzania, pilot study with 100
customers across 6 mini-grids – 14-month study.
o People found them useful---cooking with EPCs is strongly compatible with
mini-grids and their customers –could be scaled up taking advantage of the
more than 200 existing mini-grids in the country and its ongoing
development---Help mini-grids customers to leap-frog up the energy ladder
from 3 stones fires or charcoal stoves to one of the cleanest, most efficient
cooking appliances available in the modern world.
o Uptake depended on the cost of the electricity
o Use increased a lot when pan territorial life line tariff directive came in
o eCooking is really important for minigrids to increase demand and increase
REVENUE.
- Analysis by MECS shows that even if the tariff is high at 1 USD/unit, for some dishes
EPCs are still cheaper than charcoal or firewood (did not compare to LPG as no LPG
infrastructure existed). These dishes are rice and beans.
- When the tariff changed to 0.04 USD/unit (100 TZS/unit), all foods were cheaper on the
EPC.
- So even in those places where tariffs are higher, eCooking is VIABLE.
- Considering the limited financial resources available to most households---It is
important to focus on promoting high-efficiency end-use appliances despite their
slightly higher upfront cost as the system/appliances level cost savings pay for
themselves multiple times over.
 Successful scaling up of clean cooking access requires the right appliance, access to
financing, an appropriate policy and regulatory environment, and an effective
business model.
 
About Solar Home System (SHS) and eCooking; Solar PV Module size required of 80W to
400W, , induction stoves 1500W—2kWh, Slow cooker 190W---0.45kWh, pressure cookers
700 W---0.36kWh.
There is good progress on this happening in Malawi, by a company called Kachione.
- They have designed pressure cookers that can be made from materials in Malawi – these
are low cost.
- They have also innovated with batteries – they are developing in country assembly of
batteries - they use a new battery chemistry – Lithium titanate, because it can last for
more than 10,000 cycles which is more than Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry. They are
developing the capacity to assemble these in Malawi.
o Current status is its in progress – they are training people and also working out ways
to assemble the cells (they import the cells from China) together to make larger
batteries. They are working on the electronics that will control these ‘battery packs.
 Cont………….
- And another innovation is their delivery model: They have designed a modular system so customers
start with the most basic system – solar panel-, no battery, and a DC cooker that will work directly
from the panel. No battery means the cost is kept down.
o They have tried: 2 x 280Wp panels on a DC eWant EPC which is 500W.
o They think that by bulk PV panel importation, they can get the cost of that system to around 200-
300USD, which is really good!crest
- Then customers can purchase additional appliances and components, like higher power cookers,
additional panels, and batteries, so they can start cooking in the evening.
- The innovation is that its modular and people start with the cheapest most simple offering and then
can purchase more equipment. For those in Malawi this means they can purchase more equipment
after harvest season.
 
Here in TZ TaTEDO are currently running a pilot project with MECS about battery supported cooking.
Shortly we will be piloting 20 Solar PV systems, consisting of solar PV panel size 360W and battery (76
AH), in rural households at Kisarwe District. This pilot will investigate how batteries can support the
transition to cooking in off grid setting.
TaTEDO: TaTEDO in collaboration with MECS have collected a great deal of evidence
about the potential of a transition to electric cooking and how to leverage investment
in electricity access for clean cooking. Could you share some of the learnings and
lessons learnt from the project?
From research;
Key learnings are
- Cooking with electricity with highly efficient appliances, like the EPC, is affordable for
us in TZ. They save money compared to charcoal and LPG.
- They work with our traditional staple foods – 80% of traditional foods can be cooked.
Including ugali, beans, rice (etc). And now even there are EPCs that can deep fry – so
chips and deep-fried dishes are possible.
- People like to cook with EPCs – they are clean, they are convenient. They save time.
- So, we have found that there is huge potential for eCooking in Tanzania. And it does
not require us to set up a lot of new infrastructure just for cooking! We can use the
investment already made in electricity network and take advantage of it to transform
to modern cooking.
 Cont………………
- And lots more investment is planned – as the grid expands, and more generation
comes online in the future, particularly renewable generation. We can take
advantage of this infrastructure for cooking.
- This is more efficient and cost effective than setting up new infrastructure say in
LPG, Natural Gas or biogas.
- And as we are talking of renewables – when we are generating renewable
electricity, cooking with electricity is truly clean and sustainable.
 
Lessons
- We need large scale awareness raising campaigns – we have found out how best to
raise awareness to the people and are ready.
- Both financing facility and in person-training are crucial for large scale adoption and
sustained use of EPCs---Training of sales agents, users, and maintenance technicians
should be core components.
- Ad hoc interventions without local grounding and participation tend to be sporadic
experiences with little chance of sustainability.
- We need some work on the enabling environment—need to be more supportive. KE
and UG are working on National eCooking Strategies. Tanzania should not be left
behind in this transition.
Overall questions
1. What is the status quo of clean and sustainable cooking in Tanzania? What are the
main trends, such as electrical cooking, and challenges shaping this market, and how
does the Tanzanian clean cooking market differ from neighbouring countries?
 
Talking points:
Tanzania has less than 10 percent of population having access to clean cooking solutions,
national target is to have 75 percent of the population with access to clean cooking solution
by 2030. The good thing is more than 40 percent have access to electricity and the rate is
increasing by more than 6 percent per year.
- EPC are a new technology that are highly efficient (above 80 percent) and so allows
cooking with electricity to be affordable
- Trend seen is that once people experience cooking with EPCs, they like it, its better for
the customer – convenience and cleanliness of cooking; cost; not having to replace LPG
cylinders so much.
- Uptake is increasing as awareness increases.
 Cont…………..
- Neighbouring countries
o Very focused on eCooking – KE working on a National eCooking Strategy; UG also starting this.
o KE – the eCooking market is more developed.
o UG – has an eCooking tariff to promote eCooking.
- Challenges:
o Awareness creation – most people simply aren’t aware of the new technology and potential
benefits. Still think its too expensive. Or doesn’t make tasty food. But it does!
o Supply chain – needs support. Investment and Working capital for bulk importation, storage
facility; standards for quality appliances.
o Upfront cost can be a challenge for the low income market segmanet – BUT we have EPCs
being sold on credit eg, Kilimanjaro (Nronga Women Milk cooperative), Kenya by Lipa Later;
PAYGO innovation by companies so people can pay by small amounts. This is possible to
solve.
*If ever anyone questions that there is enough electricity – point to the incoming generation
that is coming online soon*
2. What are the synergies between clean cooking, rural electrification and
Decentralized Rural Electricity (DRE) and how is your organisation working on
combining these issues?
 
Important points:
- The synergy is – rural electrification is expensive for the government (or whoever
funds it). So, it is important that end users buy electricity so there is money for
maintenance and upkeep and further expansion. So – we must be thinking about
demand stimulation.
- By promoting eCooking to those who are getting electricity, we ensure a stronger
revenue stream. It pivots/ divert money that otherwise goes into the charcoal
industry (which has major problems) and puts that money into the electricity system
– which will strengthen the system.
- As REA and TANESCO extend into rural areas we encourage them to consider cooking
with highly efficient appliances as a use case.
 
 Cont………………..
- Research by MECS has shown that cooking on minigrids is VIABLE.
- Working on PowerGen mini-grids in Northern and Central Tanzania, pilot study with more
than 100 customers across 9 minigrids – 14-month study.
o People found them useful and convenient.
o Uptake depended on financing mechanism and the cost of the electricity
o Use increased a lot when the tariff directive came in
- Analysis by MECS shows that even if the tariff is high at 1 USD/unit, for some dishes EPCs
are still cheaper than charcoal or firewood (did not compare to LPG as no LPG infrastructure
existed). These dishes are rice and beans.
- When the tariff changed to 0.04 USD/unit (100 TZS/unit), all foods were cheaper on the
EPC.
- So even in those places where tariffs are higher, eCooking is VIABLE.
 
3. To date, what are the best proven solutions to scale up clean cooking solutions, what
are pitfalls?
 
Important points:
- Project by project or -piece meal approach doesn’t work, and government and financing
institutions, needs to look at the whole market system--market chains, support services
and enabling environment. Eg. Production/importation, distribution networks,
marketing and sales, consumer finance and after sales services also look at tax, look at
standards for quality appliances, and look at finance measures that can help TZ
businesses in this supply chain.
- Clean cooking solutions need to be targeted to market segments with account of specific
market characteristics, including availability and affordability
- Be wary of what technology is being targeted – LPG has had import tax and subsidies for
years but uptake is really very low.
- eCooking is about LEVERAGING or TAKING ADVANTAGE OF investment that is already
existing and happening in electricity access – rather than setting up a whole new
infrastructure like with LPG, Natural Gas and biogas.
4. How is the private sector supporting the adoption of clean and sustainable cooking
technologies, and how can policymakers and international funding partners support
their efforts?
 
Talking points:
In Tanzania clean cooking solutions/technologies market is underdeveloped and
dominated by fuel wood and charcoal burned in inefficient stoves.
- Provide finance to support investment in production/importation facilitates and
expand distribution networks to reach different market segments
- SESCOM is a company importing EPCs and working hard to introduce the support
services the eCooking market chain needs.
- For example, training sales agents, users, maintenance technicians and bringing in
spare parts to these devices so people can access repair services
 Cont…………..
- Challenges:
o Awareness creation – most people simply aren’t aware of the new technology and potential
benefits. Still think its too expensive. Or doesn’t make tasty food. But it does!
o Supply chain – needs support. Investment and Working capital for bulk importation, storage facility;
standards for quality appliances.
o Upfront cost can be a challenge for the low income market segmanet – BUT we have EPCs being sold
on credit eg, Kilimanjaro (Nronga Women Milk cooperative), Kenya by Lipa Later; PAYGO innovation
by companies so people can pay by small amounts. This is possible to solve.
- Neighbouring countries
o Very focused on eCooking – KE working on a National eCooking Strategy; UG also starting this.
o KE – the eCooking market is more developed.
o UG – has an eCooking tariff to promote eCooking.
*If ever anyone questions that there is enough electricity – point to the incoming generation that is
coming online soon*
5.Could you provide examples of ongoing programmes and funding mechanisms
specifically designed to do this and specially to link DRE with clean cooking
Talking points: (I expect this will directed at those running such programmes such as
UNCDF,)
- Modern Cooking Facility for Africa run by NEFCO, Sida – excluded LPG. (But did include
‘sustainable briquettes and pellets’).
- EU programme, Clean Cook Fund, is imminent. However, it does include LPG cooking so is
not truly focused on renewable technologies.
- TaTEDO/SESCOM- MECs UKAid programme in partnership with ESMAP and managed by
the Loughborough University in UK---brings and draws on knowledge and experience
from different partners around the world to build on opportunities and knowledge and
break out of business-as-usual approaches and rapidly accelerate transition from
biomass to clean cooking solutions.
6. How can gender equality be incorporate in clean cooking – RE business models?
Important points:
- Describe how SESCOM is including women by training them as sales agents and
community influencers when it comes to raising awareness in eCooking.
- For TaTEDO&SESCOM, Specific measures have been taken to target women in clean
cooking business development. Women are playing important roles in the development
of the EPCs market systems, they are involved at all stages; along the market chain,
provide support services and are involved in fostering enabling environment such as
Business and market plan development, in the process of procurement, awareness
raising, capacity building and as third-party financing of end-users, distribution as sales
agents, provision of after sales services and they are the key users for cooking at the
households
7. How do you promote the shift to cleaner cooking among households (implying
more expensive stoves and higher investments in fuel) that are currently using
charcoal and therefore not compelled to buy expensive stoves and can buy limited
number of fuels even on a daily basis?
Important points:
- With eCooking, yes, the appliances are more expensive BUT THE ACTUAL COOKING
COST IS NOT.
- It is cheaper to cook with electricity on an EPC than with other fuels.
- Once people understand that then they can realise they will eventually save money.
- So how to do this: Raise awareness, and have ways to reduce upfront cost
o Exemption from import duty and tax
 NOTE: Govt won’t necessarily lose money by doing this as they will get
additional revenue by increased electricity sales
o Let people pay over several months, like how LipaLater do this in Kenya
o New innovation is coming through – PAYGO technology means people can pay
gradually over time as they use the device.
- So there are ways – we just need more attention and focused work on them.