The aim of the EUR 3.3 million (NRs 308 million) Biomass Energy Component, previously known as Improved Cooking Stove Component is to improve the kitchen environment of rural women and introduce new biomass energy technologies through commercialisation.  Around 90% of the national energy consumption is based on biomass; and fuelwood stoves account for the vast majority of this consumption. The traditional fuelwood stoves used for cooking (and, in the hill and mountain areas for heating) have a low energy efficiency and cause substantial in-door pollution in the form of smoke.

A number of top-down attempts made in Nepal to promote improved cooking stoves (ICS) in the past mostly failed for various reasons. Based on these experiences, however, new bottom-up approach evolved during ESAP Phase I has been enouraging and was heartening. The new approaches reflect rural ethnic, cultural, and climatic diversity and focus on rural women groups and their specific needs for energy and improved indoor climates, and not as previously on silvi-cultural issues and successfully installed more than 200,00 stoves in rural mid hills of Nepal.

The Biomass Energy Component seeks to support the development and application of the new biomass technologies like biomass gasifiers and metallic stoves in higher mountain where space heating needs are to be addressed.  The component aims at installing 1/2 a million stoves/devices in the ESAP II phase of which 100,000 stoves/device will be installed in high altitude with partial subsidy.  The programme will continue promotion and dissemination of stove in mid hills and terai without subsidy. The service providers are expected to participate in the programme at various level. Programmes in Nepal such as the Community Forestry and the Basic Primary Education Programme (BPEP) under the Education sector support programme, and health programme could prove to be strategic partners of the component. 

Renewable Energy Test Station (RETS) is also expected to participate in the programme for quality assurance of the commercially disseminated devices.

Updated: 29 Nov 2006