Experts call for shift to electric cooking, highlight risks of biomass stoves
Moderated by Saleem Ahmed, associate editor of The Business Standard, the roundtable was attended by public officials, independent energy experts, development partners, and private-sector leaders.
In a roundtable discussion titled "Scaling up Clean Cooking in Bangladesh: Pathways to Universal Access by 2030," organised by International Development Enterprises (iDE) at The Business Standard's conference room, speakers shared their insights on both the challenges and the untapped opportunities that Bangladesh can pursue to ensure universal access to clean cooking by 2030.
Moderated by Saleem Ahmed, associate editor of The Business Standard, the roundtable was attended by public officials, independent energy experts, development partners, and private-sector leaders.
Keynote speaker
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Arifur Rahman Talukder, Project Manager, CCSU, iDE Bangladesh
About 55% households in Bangladesh have clean fuel access, yet 70% rural households still rely on biomass. LPG has expanded rapidly, now serving about 44–50 percent of urban/peri‑urban homes, while e‑cooking remains minimal – just 5.6% urban, 0.9% peri‑urban, and 1% rural.
Despite 70% awareness, only 26% show readiness to adopt. Misconceptions about taste and cost also remain widespread: 40% of families still wrongly believe e-cooking is more expensive than LPG or biomass. In reality, it's seven times more efficient than biomass, twice as efficient as LPG. In Bangladesh e-cooking can cut 23.72 million tonnes CO₂ yearly, and unlock €194 million carbon finance to lower device costs.
Upfront electric stoves cost Tk3,000–3,550, unaffordable for one‑third of households. Safety fears affect 25% of users, poor product quality and widespread counterfeit devices further damage confidence, and after‑sales satisfaction is just 3.5%. Health and environmental awareness remain limited. Indoor air pollution causes 3.2 million global deaths yearly, 20% in Bangladesh. Nearly 44% of respondents were unaware of household air pollution risks, and more than a third of those aware did not associate it with respiratory disease or child mortality, weakening e‑cooking's key value: smoke‑free kitchens that protect women's health and family well‑being.
Strategic pathways include MEPS standards, carbon market frameworks, grid upgrades, financing via installments and microfinance, leveraging green and carbon finance potential and strong consumer engagement through awareness, demonstrations, social media, with focus on women and indigenous communities.
We urge policymakers to integrate electric cooking into national energy strategies, framing the shift not only as a technological transition but as a public-health and economic opportunity.
Arif Talukder, a clean cooking expert, shared key findings from the electric cooking market study (2025) conducted by iDE.
Sameer Karki, Country Director, iDE Bangladesh
Clean cooking is no longer merely a household issue; it is now a national priority linked to energy security, macroeconomic stability, climate commitments, gender equality, and public health.
Despite progress, significant gaps remain. Many households continue to rely on traditional biomass for cooking, particularly in rural areas, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to expand access to clean, affordable cooking solutions.
The Clean Cooking Cooking Scale-Up (CCSU) programme aims to facilitate the uptake of 51,000 electric stoves, reduce 1 lakh tonnes of CO₂ annually, and expand opportunities for women and youth across the clean energy value chain.
By engaging manufacturers, financiers, and community-level entrepreneurs, the initiative is building evidence for a scalable and inclusive market model for electric cooking.
Aligned with Bangladesh's target of achieving 100% clean cooking by 2030, Karki said the roundtable represented the first step toward a jointly crafted national roadmap and called for coordinated, transformative action.
Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst, IEEFA
Rising incomes and shifting aspirations are rapidly making electric cooking "inevitable" in Bangladesh's energy future.
LPG – rare in rural areas a decade ago – is now common, illustrating how quickly technologies can scale when market conditions align.
Clean cooking must be viewed through an energy transition lens, not merely a household access issue, adding that Bangladesh currently has 17,000 MW peak demand against 28,900 MW installed capacity, leaving limited room for a rapid, nationwide shift to e-cooking without strengthening grid resilience.
Gradual adoption is possible if Bangladesh accelerates distributed renewable energy, enhances grid flexibility, and invests in battery storage to reduce expensive peak-hour generation.
A major barrier is the absence of appliance standards, resulting in low-quality stoves and efficiency losses, and establishing national standards for induction and other electric cooking appliances must be prioritised.
Prof M Rezwan Khan, Chairman, Power Grid Bangladesh PLC
Rooftop solar expansion will remain constrained unless key technical and financial barriers are addressed. With an estimated 2kW of lifeline connection per consumer, injecting even modest rooftop solar power into the grid from cluster villages could pose risks, but it's not insurmountable.
Smart meter reliability remains inconsistent, leading to consumer dissatisfaction. Low-cost solar panels often fail to deliver expected output, while high-efficiency panels will cost marginally higher, but are expected to provide the designed output.
There is also a need for dual meters to enable effective net metering and feed-in tariffs. Given that rooftop solar can generate electricity at Tk7.50 per unit, compared to the government's Tk12 per unit production cost, buying consumer-generated solar power could save approximately Tk4.50 per unit.
Md Amimul Ahsan Khan, Deputy Director, Sreda
Improving energy efficiency in industrial and commercial establishments is essential to reduce the increasing pressure on national energy demand. Building Energy Efficiency and Environment Rating (BEEER) Guideline for New Construction & Existing Buildings has already been formulated.
It aims to bring new constructions under energy-efficient standards, with certification systems rewarding compliance. For example, Bangladesh Bank's Green Financing Scheme offers low-interest loans to energy-efficient sectors, complemented by duty exemptions for importing efficient technologies.
Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy, Idcol
Current initiatives are insufficient to match rising household energy costs.
Small subsidies combined with microfinance networks could accelerate the adoption of electric cooking technologies, especially among lifeline consumers using up to 200 units of electricity, who face steep tariff increases with minor consumption changes.
Idcol is developing domestic solar and clean cooking programmes to expand access to clean cooking and renewable energy generation. integrating domestic solar systems of 3 kWp and above with electric cooking solutions can speed up adoption ensuring affordability and safety.
Ariful Haque, Assistant Director (E&E), BSTI
Efforts are ongoing to implement international standards and introduce mandatory Energy Star ratings for household appliances, including microwave ovens, washing machines, and electric cookers.
These standards will help identify energy-efficient products and increase overall efficiency in households that consume 1,00–2,00 units monthly. Many manufacturers face financial constraints in adapting high energy efficient products because of high price and low sales.
BSTI is therefore adopting a phased approach instead of imposing strict five-star standards immediately. Plans also include bringing induction cookers and electric irons under energy standards to ensure a safe, efficient marketplace.
Tanuja Bhattacharjee, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank
Any large-scale clean cooking initiative in Bangladesh – irrespective of whether donor-funded or nationally implemented – should consider integrating carbon credit mechanisms from the outset. Outreach to carbon buyers, companies or entities purchasing carbon credits, as well as Article 6 readiness of the country, and robust MRV systems will be critical for leveraging carbon financing.
Focusing on the supply side of clean cooking is needed, because the issue goes beyond access or affordability to shaping Bangladesh's transition to a sustainable energy landscape. The country has a clean cooking action plan, but a clear institutional responsibility will need to be articulated for the implications of rising electric cooking demand.
Md Afzal Hossain Bhuiyan, Head of Strategic Partnership, IDE Bangladesh
Transforming Bangladesh's e-cooking ecosystem requires public-private partnerships, shared responsibility, and a robust national strategy. Public-private partnership can strengthen the e-cooking market system through collaboration in policy development, infrastructure investment, innovative financing and consumer awareness campaigns.
The government should set clear standards, stable policies, targets for adoption and integrate them into national energy and climate action plans and National road Map is required. Electrification planning is essential to create a trustworthy environment for widespread adoption and last-mile delivery by the private sector/Ngos/INGOs.
Dr M Ryyan Khan, Associate Professor, EEE, East West University
Greater collaboration among academics, industry, and regulators is essential to enhance standards, testing, and innovation.
Many universities already possess BSTI-approved laboratories capable of supporting decentralised appliance testing, reducing bottlenecks and accelerating certification.
Industry–academia partnerships can help localise component manufacturing and address technical challenges. Interdisciplinary studies documenting the economic, health, and social benefits of new technologies would further strengthen evidence-based policy decision-making.
Mohammad Soeb Iftekhar, Director of Programs, IDE Bangladesh
In rural communities nationwide, a quiet transformation is underway. Through conversations with early-adopter women using electric cooking appliances, I encountered a compelling mix of personal empowerment and systemic frustration.
For them, the value is unequivocal: convenience, autonomy, and reclaimed time. "I no longer need to arrange fuel or rely on others to prepare meals," shared one user. "It's faster, and I have greater control over my day." In settings where women's labour is frequently overlooked and domestic burdens are heavy, this shift is profoundly meaningful.
The most significant obstacle, however, is affordability. We could request the government to reconsider the VAT on e-cooking items, considering the new budget preparation for the coming year is under consideration. The private sector, product, and the users are prepared. The imperative now is whether support systems can evolve to meet them.
Salima Jahan, Former Additional Secretary
Awareness and user-centric communication are critical for shifting cooking practices. Electric cooking saves time, reduces health risks, eliminates fuel collection, and offers rapid payback, but messages must be tailored to different income groups and urban–rural contexts.
The Household Energy Platform Programme of SREDA has demonstrated that school initiatives, door-to-door campaigns, street dramas, and creative competitions can significantly influence public
behaviour.
A transition of residential gas consumers to electric cooking would help free natural gas for industrial use and reduce reliance on costly imported LNG.
Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director, PKSF
Improved cook stoves can deliver substantial environmental benefits by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and enabling cleaner household cooking, but large-scale adoption remains difficult.
He noted that earlier low-cost initiatives had limited success due to user preferences, such as wanting visible flames, and practical constraints including the absence of separate kitchens and chimneys.
Financing is another barrier, as the cost of a single stove is too small to qualify for conventional microcredit.
To address these challenges, a multipronged strategy is needed that bundles cook stoves with other livelihood loans, strengthens technical support and awareness, links adoption to carbon markets for added incentives, and ensures strong after-sales service, monitoring, and motivation to sustain long-term use.
Mominur Rahman, Head of Marketing, ATEC
A breakthrough carbon-financed model is being introduced that slashes the price of IoT-enabled stoves from Tk10,000+ to Tk4,300 by using future carbon revenues to subsidise upfront costs.
The "Cook to Earn" programme further incentivises consistent use by offering Tk2,400 over six months, reducing the effective cost by 55%. High-quality components and strong after-sales service are essential for consumer confidence and the generation of premium carbon credits.
AFM Shahed, Country manager, Intellecap
Bangladesh's strong track record, beginning with CDM solar home systems that generated 53 million carbon credits sold at $10–15 each.
However, international policy shifts – reducing the proportion of non-renewable biomass from 80% to 30% – have slashed credit volumes for cookstoves.
To remain competitive, Bangladesh must adopt advanced Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems and secure upfront carbon finance to scale distribution. These steps will help NGOs generate high-integrity credits, reduce consumer costs, and expand access to clean technologies.
Abdullah Al Zunaid, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Walton
With over 700 engineers, 87 service points, and 45,000 retail outlets, Walton ensures nationwide access to reliable appliances, while instalment facilities through more than 30 banks further expand affordability.
The superior efficiency of infrared cookers (25%) and induction cookers (35%) compared to LPG was highlighted, although upfront costs continue to act as a barrier for many consumers.]
Recommendations included restructuring the 10% customs duty on SKD components and exempting VAT on green technologies until 2030–31 to boost local manufacturing and support wider adoption.
Dr Mohammad Naveed Ahmed, Managing Director, Miyako
There is a huge potential of microfinance partnerships for expanding access, but the product quality must remain uncompromised.
Without clear frameworks, microfinance agencies risk financing substandard or counterfeit products.
A robust marketing and quality-control structure is essential to ensure sustainable, consumer-friendly growth.
A national roadmap built on partnership
The roundtable made one message unmistakably clear: Bangladesh's transition to clean cooking and sustainable energy cannot be achieved through fragmented efforts.
A coordinated national roadmap—grounded in strong policies, financing mechanisms, quality standards, and public awareness—is essential.
With synchronized efforts across government agencies, private manufacturers, financial institutions, NGOs, academia, and community networks, Bangladesh has the potential not only to achieve 100% clean cooking by 2030 but also to shape a more resilient, energy-secure future for millions of households.
