Monroe Dikiny, Mourine Cheruiyot, and Joel Onyango
The energy sector is a critical driver of economic growth in Kenya, with the country's development goals heavily reliant on access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Compared with conventional cooking technologies and fuels, electric cooking (eCooking) is a relatively new choice for many households in Kenya.
The eCooking programme was met with disinterest when it was being promoted actively in Kenya since four years ago. It seemed implausible, and the primary obstacles to the technology's adoption were supply-side problems, unstable electricity, and cost. Kenya now has 3.3GW of installed power, of which only 2.2GW is being used, while at the same time, Kenyans lack access to clean cooking technology despite the surplus in energy generation. Nonetheless, Kenya has made significant strides toward transitioning households to more clean cooking methods, with a particular focus on eCooking solutions.
The eCooking Community of Practice (CoP), is jointly facilitated by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Gamos East Africa, Kenya Power, and the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK), supported by the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme. The CoP operates through a WhatsApp group and hosts a series of virtual monthly dialogues. During the Monthly Dialogue held on February 27, 2024, insights were shared from a study titled Cooking Diaries 3.0, which examined households exclusively using eCooking appliances in Nairobi and its environs. This study was part of a broader research initiative led by EED Advisory under the MECS program, exploring the implications of eCooking adoption. The dialogue brought together industry players, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders, to discuss the progress and opportunities for transitioning Kenyan households to eCooking. The topics discussed comprised discussions on available appliances, energy use implications, user experience, and potential off-grid electric cooking solutions. This blog explores key insights from the dialogue held on February 27, 2024.
Key Insights
Significant progress towards transitioning to 100% eCooking
The transition from traditional cooking methods, such as charcoal, to electricity-based cooking solutions has been significant. The study presented at the dialogue assessed energy use and adoption of eCooking appliances in Kenyan households, focusing on the usage of electric coil cookers, electric pressure cookers, and air fryers. Initially, 65.8% of meals were cooked using LPG, which decreased by 11.3 percentage points during the transition phase, indicating a progressive shift towards electricity-based cooking solutions. Electric pressure cookers emerged as the most popular choice among households, reflecting a growing demand for faster and more energy-efficient cooking solutions. Transitioning to electric cooking is essential for several reasons; it reduces reliance on cooking fuels such as charcoal, which are associated with deforestation, air pollution, and health hazards, and most importantly is that transitioning to electric cooking aligns with Kenya's broader sustainable development goals, supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The data presented not only imply progress in addressing environmental and health challenges but also present opportunities for innovation and investment in the electric cooking sector. Moving forward, continued support and investment in electric cooking solutions can further accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Kenya.
Challenges with Electric Cooking at the household level
Electric cooking has gained popularity due to its benefits, such as energy efficiency and safety. However, households may face challenges with the technology. One of the most common issues is the slow cooking time associated with electric stoves and ovens. This can be frustrating for people who are used to gas or other types of cooking that offer faster cooking times. Another major challenge is power outages, which can cause significant inconvenience and even food spoilage if the cooking process is interrupted. Therefore, it is essential to have a reliable electricity supply infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of electric cooking technologies and ensure that households can enjoy the benefits of this technology without any significant drawbacks. While electric cooking offers numerous advantages, addressing the challenges associated with the technology, is crucial for its adoption. Regular power outages and especially during cooking hours can impact the efficiency and convenience of electric cooking, potentially hindering its uptake among households. There is a need to explore on innovative solutions and enhance electricity supply reliability to minimize the impact of power outages. By addressing the power outage issues, stakeholders can confidently promote the adoption of eCooking technologies and support sustainable, energy-efficient cooking practices in households across Kenya
Socio-cultural Preferences affect the uptake efficiency
When selecting electric cooking appliances, households prioritize convenience and energy efficiency. This indicates a growing concern for environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. However, it is essential to note that individuals also hold diverse views on socially acceptable cooking methods, which may influence cultural norms and personal preferences. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt tailored approaches that cater to different communities' varying needs and expectations. By offering appliances that prioritize convenience and energy efficiency, stakeholders can encourage greater adoption of electric cooking technologies, ultimately contributing to environmental sustainability and energy conservation efforts. Tailored approaches that take into account cultural norms and individual preferences through vigorous demonstrations and easy recipes can help promote the acceptance and adoption of electric cooking appliances across diverse communities. This may also involve providing education and outreach programs to raise awareness about the benefits of electric cooking and dispel misconceptions.
Safety concerns on eCooking solutions
Households encountered safety concerns with electric appliances, especially hot plates. Addressing these concerns through comprehensive user education, stringent product standards and monitoring mechanisms is imperative. By doing so, households can safely adopt electric cooking technologies. This approach will help create awareness about the safe use of electric appliances and promote a culture of safety at home. In this case, the safety of households using electric cooking appliances is vital. It’s important to note that the current cooking appliances have prioritized safety features and the current doubts are based on the outdated models of the appliances. Demonstrations and showcasing the proper usage of appliances should be good enough to demystify this information. By proactively addressing safety concerns, stakeholders can confidently advocate for ecooking. They can use updated data, impact stories, and various communication channels to showcase the safety features as well as recipes. This will help in effectively passing on this information.
There is innovation in the transitioning to eCooking
In conclusion, the study highlights significant progress in transitioning Kenyan households to electricity-based cooking, aligning with sustainable development goals. Despite initial challenges, households have embraced electric appliances, demonstrating adaptability and resilience. However, further efforts are crucial to optimize electric cooking technologies, address safety concerns, and enhance cooking speed. Here are some call-to-actions:
- Conduct further research on appropriate electric cooking appliances to swiftly address issues around cooking speed and safety concerns with hot plates.
- Investigate the potential for induction cookers as a viable replacement for electric coils, given their energy efficiency and safety features.
- Develop tailored approaches to meet varying preferences and cultural norms, especially among rural households, to enhance the adoption of electric cooking technologies.
Transitioning to electric cooking solutions is a crucial step towards a sustainable energy future in Kenya. However, it requires concerted efforts from policymakers, industry players, and stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of electric cooking are realized by all households, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
The eCooking CoP is leading initiatives in Clean Cooking
The Climate Resilient Economies (CRE) programme at the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), is embracing collaboration in sustainable energy systems with the promise of achieving greater milestones while minimizing duplication of efforts and maximizing synergies. Instead of functioning in isolation, the ACTS projects possess the opportunity to work together, fostering a collective spirit that propels them towards success. For instance, initiatives like the 'Just Energy Transition' and the 'Evidence for informing optimization and scaling of youth and women led clean energy enterprises and business models in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda & South Africa' projects stand to have a greater impact by increasing engagement and prioritizing activities geared towards knowledge generation. There is an exciting opportunity to strengthen partner capacities, enabling more effective collaboration and utilization of localized outputs. By embracing these collaborative values, we pave the way for transformative change and long-term development in climate resilience and clean energy innovation.
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