The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) successfully organized a Workshop on "Engaging States to Scale-up eCooking" in collaboration with the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme through its In-country Partner, Finovista, on December 12, 2023, at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The workshop aimed at brainstorming on the next steps required for the scaling up of eCooking, encompassing devices for electric cooking and clean cooking such as Induction Cook stoves, Electric Pressure Cookers, Rice Cookers, and On/Off-grid Solar Cooking solutions. The speakers in the workshop underlined the indispensable role that State agencies have in facilitating the transition to eCooking (electric cooking and clean cooking). 110 participants from all over India from different SDAs and SNAs attended the workshop. Live demonstrations of eCooking devices were also arranged on the side-lines of the workshop for displaying the current technology status and to provoke discussion on innovations needed in the eCooking domain.
India, poised to become one of the largest economies globally and accounting for 20% of the world's population by mid-century, is taking decisive steps towards environmental sustainability with its Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). Despite having a per capita carbon footprint of only 40% of the global average, India is proactively addressing untapped potential in its mitigation strategies. The government's roadmap for energy transition emphasizes a shift towards electricity, showcasing commendable progress in providing electricity access to its population, making India the third-largest global electricity producer. With a national electric grid boasting an installed capacity of 416.0 GW, where 43% is contributed by renewable energy sources, including large hydroelectric plants, India is demonstrating leadership in building a sustainable future. The push for electric cooking and clean cooking, fueled by new technologies and increased urbanization, is emerging as a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative, exemplified by induction cooktops with 85% efficiency.
The speakers in the session stressed on the fact that it is becoming increasingly clear that there is an emerging opportunity to rapidly transition millions of people to electric cooking and clean cooking by taking advantage of the improved infrastructural conditions. The time is right to create a global coalition of partners committed to establishing the architecture upon which countries can rapidly and sustainably transition to electric cooking and clean cooking. They highlighted the crucial role of SDAs in promoting electric cooking, mentioning initiatives like demonstration projects and the "Go electric" campaign in rural area. Another point of discussion was the feasibility of scaling up eCooking and the importance of a model using renewable energy sources and carbon credits for affordability in both urban and rural areas. Stressing the urgent need to coordinate efforts to meet India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and outlined challenges such as local development of energy-efficient devices, financing solutions, and reliable electricity services.
The workshop ended on a positive note of synergies between all stakeholders for the promotion of eCooking and clean cooking as a whole. This transformative shift in household energy consumption aligns with India's commitment to climate change efforts, setting a positive example for the world. The deliberations during the workshop will discuss the next steps for scaling up the Induction Cooktops and the critical role State agencies have to play in the transition of electric cooking and clean cooking.