Technology Name
Location
Financial support
Beneficiaries
Case study
resources
Improved Cook Stoves (ICS)
Global - projects exist in most developing countries
Many organizations are funding ICS programmes
Women and children
HERA - GTZ Household Energy Programme. HEDON - Household
Energy Network. APROVECHO – Stove research center.
Background and project description
Cooking energy accounts for about 90 % of the energy consumed by households in Africa.
Biomass fuels such as firewood, charcoal, dung and agricultural residues are often the only
energy source available, especially for low-income groups and in rural areas. In recent
years, several efficient, clean-burning stoves have been developed in different regions that
can help to reduce fuel use and create a clean kitchen environment. Scaling-up the use of
these remains the big challenge. GTZ’s cookstove programme in East Africa is an example
of a successful model. Acceptance of cookstoves is dependent on a range of social, cultural
and economic factors, including affordability and ease of use. Experience from many parts
of the world has shown that stove technologies have ‘niche’ regions and communities.6
Stove market development
Experience from many different household energy initiatives has shown that a commercial
approach is usually the most successful and sustainable way of promoting improved
cooking technologies. To create an effective market system for improved cook stoves,
project activities and outputs on the supply and demand side are important. Market
development activities are typically funded by donors.
To ensure more efficient and quality stoves are on the market, activities include: stove
technology development, training of stove producers, stove quality control and improving
marketing capacities for stove retailers. To establish greater demand for the stove,
household energy awareness campaigns and mainstreaming policies in the public sector
are important.
In many countries a wide range of stoves
are available from local producers and
imported from other countries. A project
should begin with a market assessment of
locally available stoves. Stove technology
development may be necessary to ensure
a locally acceptable and desirable model.
Stove technology development should
involve specialists, possibly from a
company, research organization or
academe, to develop a design building on
existing knowledge and based on
extensive field testing with beneficiaries.
Production can be up scaled by training
local manufacturers and artisans.
In-built rocket Lorena – double pot,
chimney, mud/bricks. Photo: GTZ
Selling stoves
Stoves are typically sold through markets, stores or mobile artisans providing a potential
Renewable Energy to Reduce Poverty in Africa
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