Bangladesh
The majority of people in Bangladesh live in rural areas, and they rely on biomass for most of their energy needs. The traditional biomass cookstoves used by most rural households for cooking burn fuel inefficiently and cause indoor air pollution, leading to illnesses and premature deaths. Access to piped natural gas is limited and mainly concentrated in urban/ peri-urban areas. The use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) has seen rapid growth over the last decade and is expected to increase further. The government has declared achievement of 100% electrification in 2022. However, electricity access remains unreliable for poorer segments of the population in some areas.
Technologies used in this project
- Improved cookstoves
- Stand-alone systems
Country data
- People with access to modern cooking energy: 2,247,461*
- People with access to electricity: 1,823,858*
- SIs with access to modern energy services: 969*
- MSMEs with access to modern energy services: 25,482*
- *Achievements until December 2023
Approach
EnDev Bangladesh implements a multifaceted approach to promote clean cooking and solar energy utilisation. This involves developing the market for e-cooking appliances, supporting uptake of biomass-based improved cookstoves, advocating for supportive policies, and demonstrating the viability of solar battery charging stations for e-rickshaws. Through these strategic interventions, EnDev aims to foster sustainable development and improve livelihoods in Bangladesh.
eCooking
To promote e-cooking, EnDev used a Result-Based Financing (RBF) mechanism to incentivise sales by Walton and ATEC, two established manufacturers and distributors of e-cooking appliances, in the Khulna region of Bangladesh. Walton promoted rice cookers, induction cookers, and infrared cookers, while ATEC specifically promoted induction cookers. In 2023, EnDev reached 26,120 people with e-cooking appliances under the RBF mechanism. On the demand side, Endev worked with Practical Action on awareness-raising campaigns, promoting the benefits of high-quality e-cooking appliances and reached 25,000 households.
To support the enabling environment for the e-cooking sector, EnDev actively supports its partners, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), to establish energy performance standards and testing protocols for e-cooking appliances and provides technical support to BSTI on the adoption of these standards.
ICS component
EnDev worked with Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BBF) to disseminate biomass-based ICS stoves in commercial and institutional settings, as well as to conduct the ICS “Bondhu Chula Doctor” programme that trains disadvantaged women from rural communities to provide maintenance and after-sales service. In 2022 and 2023, EnDev reached 4,400 MSMEs with ICS and trained 2,100 people to be Bondhu Chula Doctors, of which 56% were women. EnDev currently works with AVA Development Society for the continuation of these two activities in tribal communities, thereby focusing on LNOB groups.
Solar Battery Charging Station
For the productive use of solar energy, EnDev is piloting solar battery charging stations for e-rickshaws. EnDev has analysed EV typology and business models and conducted a training session for garage owners in the Khulna region. The training focused on business models and the viability of solar battery charging stations for electric 3-wheelers, and was done in collaboration with various stakeholders, including SREDA and the local utility.
Learn more about EnDev´s approach
In terms of gender, EnDev has established a cooperation with the Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation which enables women to provide maintenance services for ICS. So far, 1500 women have been trained, which is a huge success in country which normally upholds traditional gender norms in job roles.
Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking (SEE-CC)
In close partnership with EnDev, the SEE-CC programme introduces a new private-sector approach to promote clean and affordable cooking in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger and Uganda.
Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking (SEE-CC)
