The article discusses India's efforts to increase the adoption of clean cooking technologies in rural and poorer households as an alternative to traditional cooking methods like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It emphasizes the need to diversify clean cooking options, particularly through the promotion of electric cooking, to address challenges related to LPG subsidies, dependence on imported LPG, and rising crude and product prices.
Key Points:
Over the past 15 years, the Government of India has attempted to replicate the success of LPG adoption in urban households among poorer and rural households.
- The Grameen Vitrak Yojana and
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) have contributed to the growth of the rural distributor base and provided millions of new households with LPG connections.
Concern
- For the first time, LPG consumption in Indian households saw a slight reduction in FY23, raising questions about the sustainability of subsidizing LPG to improve adoption.
- Recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions impacting crude and product prices, have created challenges in achieving universal LPG usage in Indian households. (India Dependency on Imported LPG)
Way Forward:
- India's clean cooking policy should pivot towards adopting a suite of clean-cooking technologies beyond LPG.
- Electric cooking, including induction cooktops, can be a viable alternative for flamed-based cooking, particularly in areas with access to electricity.
- Shifting to electric cooking can offset the need for excessive LPG consumption.
- Encouraging the adoption of electric cooking can be done by gradually increasing LPG prices beyond a certain threshold, leading to a demand for new e-cooking technologies.
- Early adopters can spur the domestic manufacturing ecosystem for e-cooking technologies and reduce dependence on imported LPG and crude oil.
- Supporting manufacturers to embrace efficiency and design for the needs of Indian households will be essential in this transition.
- Displacement of traditional cooking methods (chulhas) by e-cooking can also contribute to climate and clean air benefits, which can be monetized through carbon markets to help finance the transition for poorer rural communities.