Firms to share Sh10 billlion in advancing clean energy
What you need to know:
- The funding by the EU falls under the broader Integrated Approach to Sustainable Clean Cooking Solutions Programme in Tanzania and the 11th European Development Fund (EDF)
Dar es Salaam. Enterprises providing clean cooking solutions will have an opportunity to scale up their businesses as the European Union (EU)-funded programme opens a window of grants worth Sh10 billion.
Dubbed CookFund, the programme targets providing grants to enterprises that will distribute clean cooking solutions and ultimately provide environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cooking methods, in the regions of Pwani, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Dodoma, according to the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) which is the main implementer and fund manager of the programme.
The head of UNCDF Tanzania, Mr Peter Malika, said: “Through the CookFund programme, we are stimulating market development of clean cooking solutions with a focus on ensuring affordability and accessibility for the end user and sustainability of the market.” This is the second call for applications, which will run through September 30, 2023, with over Sh10 billion in grants available to scale up the production and distribution of clean cooking solutions for qualifying businesses.
In the first round of applications last year, a total of 16 clean cooking energy enterprises received 1.3 million euros (about Sh3.2 billion) as support to deliver affordable, safe, and clean cooking solutions that benefit urban and rural areas in Tanzania.
The funding by the EU falls under the broader Integrated Approach to Sustainable Clean Cooking Solutions Programme in Tanzania and the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). UNCDF is implementing the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) which focuses on scaling up the uptake and use of bioethanol in the Dar es Salaam region only.
UNCDF is championing the accelerated market rollout of clean cooking solutions to mitigate climate change impacts resulting from deforestation and harmful cooking practises.
UNCDF Tanzania will oversee the selection process and disbursement of funds to successful enterprises and business development services as required. It will also ensure transparent and accountable management of the CookFund programme, maximising its impact on the transition to clean cooking solutions.
The CookFund programme supports the government’s ambitious plans to increase access to clean energy and clean cooking solutions in urban areas, aiming for 80 percent usage of clean cooking solutions by 2033.
