Understanding clean cooking energy and its various sources

Dar es Salaam. According to the World Bank’s Multi-Tier Framework (MTF) for Clean Cooking (2020), clean cooking energy is assessed based on efficiency, ease of use, accessibility, safety, affordability and the low levels of toxic emissions produced during use.

The primary aim is to ensure that the energy used for cooking is safe for human health, readily accessible and has minimal negative environmental impacts.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of 2021 define clean cooking energy standards by measuring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.

WHO specifies that PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre annually, or an interim target of 35 micrograms per cubic metre, while CO levels should be under 4 milligrams per cubic metre over a 24-hour period.

In reality, PM2.5 and CO emissions from charcoal and firewood depend on factors such as the type of charcoal, quality of carbonization and ventilation.

On average, household charcoal and firewood use produces PM2.5 concentrations of 100 to 500 micrograms which is 14 to 20 times higher than the recommended limit and CO concentrations of 10 to 30 milligrams, which is two to nine times higher than the suggested level.

In the Tanzanian context, the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy (2024–2034) defines clean cooking energy as one that, when used correctly, emits minimal toxic smoke, while ensuring safety, sustainability, accessibility, time savings, reduced costs and fewer health and environmental impacts.

What are the clean cooking energies?

According to the World Bank (2023) and the Strategy, clean cooking energy and technologies recognized both nationally and internationally include electricity, gas, biogas and other renewable sources.

Renewable energy refers to energy derived from naturally replenishing sources that are virtually inexhaustible, such as solar, wind, hydropower, ocean waves, geothermal heat and sustainable biomass.

But then non-renewable sources such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and uranium for nuclear power are finite and deplete over time, as they do not regenerate quickly. These often contribute to environmental pollution, though the extent varies by type.

Clean cooking energy can be generated from several sources.

Electricity is a smokeless, health-safe source used for electric cookers, induction cooktops and hotplates. It reduces the risks of indoor air pollution and accidental fires.

Biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of animal waste, food scraps, or crop residues and can be used in household gas stoves and in institutions like schools and hospitals.

This option is particularly promising in waste management; for example, over 5,200 tonnes of waste are generated daily in Dar es Salaam, most of which ends up at the Pugu dumpsite. What if it used as a biogas?

Bioethanol is also a clean source as a liquid fuel made by fermenting starch-rich crops like sugarcane and grains, used in special stoves similar to petrol stoves but much safer for health and is popular in sugar-processing industries.

Another is solar energy which is used in solar cookers that convert sunlight into cooking heat, especially in areas with abundant sunlight. Improved cookstoves use firewood or charcoal more efficiently and emit less smoke, such as metal stoves with smoke and heat control features, reducing but not eliminating the use of firewood and charcoal.

Also alternative charcoal which are made from residues such as rice husks, dry leaves, sawdust, or other solid waste, bound together to produce a low-smoke fuel.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which are stored in cylinders and provides a clean flame with minimal smoke, commonly in 6kg or 15kg cylinders with one- or two-burner stoves, widely used in urban and some rural areas.

Also, natural gas is supplied via pipelines from sources like Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay, used directly in homes with specialized stoves and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions. More than 1,500 households in Mtwara, Dar es Salaam and Lindi are already connected.

Although not technically a fully clean energy source, LPG and natural gas causes far less environmental and health damage compared to firewood and charcoal.

The Ministry of Energy notes that these technologies are selected based on resource availability, cost, ease of distribution and users’ ability to afford initial and ongoing expenses.

However, major challenges remain in affordability, accessibility and user awareness. Many clean cooking solutions are expensive, directly conflicting with the definition of “affordable” clean energy.

Despite the health and environmental risks of firewood and charcoal, their continued use is mainly driven by low cost and widespread availability.

Although studies indicate that charcoal and firewood may be more expensive in the long run than clean energy sources, the perception of affordability persists.

Clean cooking energy usability

According to World Bank data (2023), in 2021 only 6.9 percent of Tanzanians used clean cooking energy, compared to the global average of 71 percent.

Nearly 90 percent of households still rely on firewood and charcoal as their primary cooking fuel, with firewood use at 63.5 percent and charcoal at 26.2 percent, according to the 2022 Cooking Energy Action Plan.

Despite these realities, clean cooking energy remains a proven solution for protecting health by reducing toxic smoke exposure, preserving forests by minimizing tree cutting, saving time otherwise spent collecting firewood and lowering medical costs. It is also an essential tool in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Through the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy (2024–2034), the Tanzanian government aims to ensure that 80 percent of citizens use clean cooking energy by 2034.

This goal aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which seeks to guarantee affordable, safe and sustainable energy access for all, as well as with the Paris Agreement (2015) commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawing lessons from other countries, Tanzania has initiated subsidy programs and low-interest loans for low-income households, engaged the private sector in gas distribution and explored carbon trading opportunities to finance clean energy projects.

Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) will continue to provide in-depth analysis of these developments and their impact on the lives of Tanzanians.

This report is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; If you have any comments about this story, send us a message on WhatsApp 0765864917