India Pushes for Electric Cooking Stoves Amid LPG Shortages

Original: Govt plans push for electric stoves to reduce LPG dependence

Mint•Apr 7, 20266 min

In a Nutshell

In response to a cooking gas shortage exacerbated by the West Asia conflict, India plans to promote electric cooking stoves. The initiative, led by Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), aims to provide zero-interest loans for induction stoves, significantly increasing their adoption among households reliant on LPG.

Key Points

01India's EESL is set to enhance the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) to promote electric stoves.
02Demand for electric cookstoves surged, with sales increasing 30 times in two days following the LPG shortage.
03EESL plans to offer zero-interest loans, subsidized by multilateral financial institutions.
04The NECP initially aimed for 2 million cookstoves, but may revise targets due to increased demand.
05Domestic production of induction cookers is being explored to reduce reliance on imports.

In-Article Ad

Full Summary

India is taking significant steps to reduce its dependence on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by promoting electric cooking stoves, particularly induction cooktops. This initiative is a response to the ongoing shortage of cooking gas, largely attributed to the conflict in West Asia. The Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) plans to revamp the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) to meet the rising demand for electric stoves, which has seen a dramatic increase in consumer interest. Reports indicate a 30-fold increase in sales of induction cooktops within just two days of the LPG crisis. To facilitate this shift, EESL is exploring partnerships with multilateral financial institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide zero-interest loans for these cooktops, effectively subsidizing the cost for economically weaker households. The NECP, which originally targeted the deployment of 2 million cookstoves, may see its goals revised upwards due to this renewed interest. Furthermore, the Indian government is also looking to boost domestic production of induction cookers and related components to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Key Figures

30X

Increase in sales of induction cooktops within two days of the LPG shortage

2 million

Initial target for deployment of cookstoves under the NECP

500,000

Revised target for cookstoves due to increased demand

In-Article Ad

Why It Matters

This initiative could significantly reduce household cooking costs and reliance on imported LPG, making cooking more affordable for millions of families.

Who is affected

Households relying on LPG for cooking, especially economically weaker consumers.

What to know

Consumers interested in electric cookstoves should stay informed about the EESL's financing options and availability.

FAQ

The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) is an initiative by India to promote energy-efficient cooking solutions, primarily through the distribution of electric cookstoves.

Under the proposed model, financial institutions will subsidize the interest on loans for electric cookstoves, allowing consumers to pay only the principal amount monthly.

✦