Tanesco champions clean cooking with subsidised electric stoves

Dar is Salaam. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has taken practical steps to promote the use of clean cooking energy as the government rolls out its 10-year strategy to ensure that four out of five Tanzanians adopt cleaner cooking methods by 2034.

The strategy, lauched in May 2024 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeks to “lift the firewood burden from women” by encouraging the use of reliable, safe, and efficient energy sources such as gas and electricity.

To advance the agenda, Tanesco has urged its employees to serve as ambassadors for electric cooking and has provided them with subsidised electric stoves.

The aim is to dispel the perception that cooking with electricity is prohibitively expensive.

The initiative was launched yesterday at the Jakaya Kikwete Hall in Dodoma, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, officiated as guest of honour.

Dr Biteko said cooking a single meal with electricity consumes less than one unit of power, equivalent to about Sh352, significantly cheaper than using charcoal, which costs between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000.

He compared the electricity used for cooking to that consumed by ordinary household light bulbs.

“Currently, only 4.2 percent of Tanzanians cook with electricity, a very low proportion compared to overall electricity access. Historically, people have believed that electric cooking is too costly, but this is a misconception. Electricity is abundant, safe, and modern appliances now consume minimal power while cooking efficiently,” he said.

Dr Biteko urged Tanesco employees to innovate in their service delivery and fully embrace the clean cooking agenda.

“Every employee should feel ashamed to have firewood or charcoal at home for cooking. Take pride in using electricity so that when you encourage others, you lead by example,” he said.

Distribution of stoves

Tanesco managing director, Mr Lazaro Twange, said the company had introduced modern, energy-efficient electric stoves for its staff to promote the adoption of clean cooking.

 A total of 11,000 subsidised stoves will be distributed to employees in the first phase, with the broader aim of making affordable electric cooking accessible to all Tanzanians.

“Clean energy protects health, cooks faster, and safeguards the environment. These stoves will reduce household energy costs significantly,” Mr Twange said.

Tanesco board vice-chairperson, Ambassador Zuhura Bundala, said the initiative would support national efforts to promote clean cooking energy.

“Through this project, Tanesco will not only be seen as a power utility but also as an active partner in environmental conservation, public health, and sustainable development. This programme will encourage wider household electricity use and reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, thereby helping to protect our forests,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of Tanesco employees, Ms Janeth Veso said the programme would inspire staff to adopt clean cooking and act as champions for climate action.

“It will raise public awareness of the benefits of clean energy while enabling employees to reduce household costs and contribute to environmental protection,” she said.