Potential and prospects of improved cook stoves in Zimbabwe Dr Godfrey Chikowore Post Doctoral Fellow & Tafadzwa Makonese, Harold Annegarn SeTAR Centre, Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg DUE, CPUT, April 2011

Key Questions Introduction What is the argument? Purpose of the argument? What is the energy policy in Zimbabwe? What challenges face widespread use of improved cook stoves in Zimbabwe? What is the outcome (alternatives and recommendations)? What are the inherent possibilities in perspective?

Introduction Socio-economic and political meltdown from mid 1990 through to 2000 decade; (Aggregate impact: ESAP; ZDERA; ZANU PF – MDC M + MDCT) Power sector in rural and urban areas adversely affected (investments not forthcoming); National Power Utility ZESA conceded inability and opens sector private investors;

Introduction continued Fuel wood – common source of domestic fuel in rural and urban (collected free generally cheaply obtainable); Protracted energy- blackouts for hours/ days/ weeks and months compel people to resort to fuel wood to meet daily energy needs (cooking, lighting, heating) DUE 2011

Introduction continued continued power–blackouts reflect state’s failure to invest in electricity and renewable energy technologies; State failure to capitalize on regional, continental and global energy development programs to the best limits; Scientific community

What is the argument? Extensive routine black – outs triggered by the 1990s Economic Structural Adjustments; 2000 decade socio- economic and political meltdown; National energy policy makers: consider provision of modern energy services and technologies a NON – Priority; Improved cook stoves potential remains largely unexploited (90% rural while 10% urban in high density suburbs): Example: electrification argument: less than 10 % rural and 90% urban)

Purpose of the argument? highlight marked potential, prospects for adoption of improved cook stoves technology in Zimbabwe’s rural and urban communities; Mobilise and better inform policy makers; governments; academia; general public about cook-stove technologies competitive capacities: reduced fuel use; reduced energy use; environmentally user friendliness (health improvement) in rural and urban communities;

Introduce new concepts: improved –cook stove biased transformation; national energy policy; rural and urban households; health; improved cook –stove environmental friendliness. DUE 2011

Questions?