Encouraging Electric Cooking in Rural Areas

The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed that the following actions are being taken through State Designated Agencies (SDAs), by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory Body under the Ministry of Power, to promote electric cooking in rural areas:

1. Demonstration projects
2. Awareness creation under “Go electric” campaign through capacity building seminars/ workshops, roadshows, electronic media etc.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture company of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Power is dedicated to make clean cooking solutions more affordable for end beneficiaries and to promote their widespread adoption by employing the demand aggregation approach. EESL is preparing three distinct models to encourage the adoption of clean cooking solutions. The initial model involves introducing Induction Cook-Stoves in urban areas. In Tier-2 Cities and Semi-urban regions, the focus is on deploying Grid-connected Solar-based Induction Cook-Stoves. In rural areas, the plan is to introduce Solar-based Induction Cook-Stoves with battery storage.

With an aim to reduce dependency on LPG and to create an environmentally sustainable cooking solution, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has developed 3 models of solar based cooktop, namely, “Surya Nutan” which can be of great utility in rural areas against the backdrop of increasing LPG adoption and ensuing domestic availability in Indian market. To cater to exigency of need, all models have been equipped with hybridization option so that grid electricity can also be used for charging and cooking through Surya Nutan. IOC has empanelled 10 Indian vendors for manufacturing, marketing, installation & providing after sales service for commercial launch of the product.

Ministry of Power, through BEE, has also launched the voluntary Star Labelling programme for Induction Stove on 1^st March 2023.  The objective of this initiative is to encourage the adoption of Electric Cooking by promoting use of Energy Efficient Induction hob among the consumers.

This information has been given by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha today, August 2, 2023.