Assessing the impact of subsidy interventions on electric cooking usage in Nepal
This study assesses the impact of electric cooking appliance subsidies on the use of electricity for cooking and cooking practices.
Abstract
People, Energy and Environment Development Association (PEEDA) conducted this study to assess the impact of electric cooking (eCooking) appliance subsidies on the use of electricity for cooking and cooking practices.
The study focussed on 2 groups of households that had been beneficiaries of different eCooking subsidy schemes in 2021. Namely, 32 (of a total of 110) households which had received a 60% subsidy on the cost of an EPC as part of a PEEDA pilot study funded by the MECS ECO challenge fund, and 202 (of approximately a total 2000) households which had received free electric induction stoves through a government intervention.
The results show a much greater proportion of the ECO pilot study HHs which part-paid for an EPC are using their appliances compared to the non-ECO HHs which received induction cookstoves for free. 81% of the 27 ECO HHs with EPCs in working condition were using them compared with only 68% of the 200 non-ECO HHs with working induction stoves. A lack of compatible induction-ready cookware was by far the main reason for households not using the induction stoves, cited by 66% of non-ECO HHs. These findings indicate subsidy schemes which require beneficiaries to buy compatible cookware for induction stoves provided for free result in lower usage rates of the stoves. The amount households were willing to pay for eCooking appliances also appeared to be informed and influenced by the subsidised prices available in the community.
This report is part of the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme.
Citation
People, Energy and Environment Development Association (PEEDA). Assessing the impact of subsidy interventions on electric cooking usage in Nepal. MECS report 2024
Links
Assessing the impact of subsidy interventions on electric cooking usage in Nepal