The Impressive TimesDelhi, 12 feb,2025: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri presided over a Ministerial Roundtable on Clean Cooking on the second day of India Energy Week 2025. Shri Puri underscored India’s exceptional success in achieving universal access to clean cooking fuel through well-structured subsidies, strong governmental commitment, digital transformation of distribution networks by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and widespread campaigns fostering behavioral change towards cleaner cooking practices. The session convened representatives from Brazil, Tanzania, Malawi, Sudan, Nepal, along with industry leaders such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), Total Energy, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Shri Puri emphasized that India’s approach serves as a blueprint for other Global South nations grappling with similar energy accessibility challenges. The Union Minister highlighted that under India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), beneficiaries access LPG at an incredibly affordable rate of just 7 cents per day, while non-beneficiaries can avail clean cooking fuel at 15 cents per day. This cost-effectiveness has been pivotal in driving widespread adoption.
During the discussion, international delegates shared insights and obstacles faced in broadening access to clean cooking solutions. Hon. Dkt. Doto Mashaka Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Tanzania, elaborated on the country’s strategy to enable 80% of households to switch to clean cooking by 2030, leveraging subsidies and a diverse mix of energy sources, including LPG, natural gas, and biogas. However, he acknowledged significant hurdles such as financial constraints, infrastructure costs, and the necessity of regulatory reforms to enhance private-sector involvement.
H.E. Dr. Mohieldien Naiem Mohamed Saied, Minister of Energy and Oil, Sudan, underscored the need for greater private sector engagement to address gaps in LPG supply, as Sudan still relies heavily on energy imports. Encouraging domestic cylinder production and ensuring cost-efficient imports remain critical challenges in achieving broader clean fuel adoption. Representatives from Rwanda and Nepal shared their respective efforts to reduce firewood dependency by promoting electric stoves and expanding biogas adoption.
Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director of IEA, remarked that India’s achievements offer valuable insights for other nations, particularly in addressing challenges related to affordability, accessibility, and infrastructure development. She emphasized the significance of concessional financing and public-private partnerships (PPP) in scaling up clean cooking solutions worldwide. Additionally, she pointed out that cultural acceptance and regulatory changes, such as tax reductions, play a crucial role in fostering large-scale adoption.
Rahool Panandiker, Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), praised India’s clean cooking transformation, attributing its success to strong political resolve, precise subsidy targeting, and extensive public awareness efforts. He also commended India’s OMCs for enabling seamless last-mile LPG delivery through digital platforms, thereby facilitating easier adoption. Panandiker further stressed the importance of refining the cylinder refill model to ensure sustained usage while balancing affordability with economic viability.
Addressing the potential of solar cookers in diversifying clean cooking technologies across the Global South, Shri Puri highlighted that IOCL’s innovative solar cookers, equipped with integrated solar panels, are currently priced at around $500 per unit, with no recurring costs over their lifespan. He acknowledged that while affordability remains a challenge for widespread adoption, leveraging carbon financing and fostering private-sector collaborations could help lower costs, making solar cooking a feasible alternative for millions.
This initiative aligns with India’s broader objective of expanding clean cooking solutions beyond LPG, reinforcing the country’s commitment to reducing dependence on traditional biomass fuels and mitigating carbon emissions.
Shri Puri concluded the discussion by reiterating India’s dedication to supporting global energy accessibility initiatives. He emphasized that India’s model, built on well-calibrated subsidies and sustainable policies, presents a scalable solution for other developing nations aiming to ensure clean cooking access. He underscored that achieving universal access to clean cooking solutions is not just an economic necessity but also a moral obligation, considering the severe health and environmental consequences of traditional biomass cooking.
This roundtable reaffirmed India’s role as a frontrunner in the global energy transition and clean cooking solutions, paving the way for enhanced international collaboration in achieving universal energy access.
About India Energy Week 2025
India Energy Week was envisioned as more than just another industry gathering—it was designed to be an influential platform shaping global energy discussions. In merely two years, this self-sustained initiative has fulfilled that vision, emerging as the world’s second-largest energy event. The upcoming third edition, slated for February 11-14, 2025, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, marks a crucial milestone in steering the global energy dialogue forward.
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