Improved cookstoves in rural India: how improved are they?: A critique of the perceived benefits from the National Programme on Improved Chulhas (NPIC)

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 47 - 63
• Main Authors: Kishore, V.V.N, Ramana, P.V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; cookstoves; Energy; Energy economics; Energy policy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Furnaces. Firing chambers. Burners; General, economic and professional studies; General. Equipment design. General computation; Asia; India; Profitability; Energy policy; Market penetration; Fuelwood; Improved stove; Lifetime; Saved cost; Energy conservation; Energetic efficiency; Environment impact; Rural area; Critical study; Economic impact; Electric power production
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/S0360-5442(01)00056-1

The National Programme on Improved Cookstoves (NPIC) was started by the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES), Government of India, in 1985 to achieve the twin objectives of fuelwood conservation and smoke reduction in kitchens. NPIC has overseen the installation of 28 million improved cookstoves, saving nearly 20 million tons of firewood per year. These achievements, though seemingly impressive, are not realistic as they are based on certain assumptions, particularly regarding the life expectancy of stoves. This paper examines the various assumptions made in such calculations and tries to arrive at some realistic numbers regarding fuelwood savings, which can be used to evolve a policy for refining the NPIC further.