Access to Energy for the Base of the - Ashoka

36
Allows the poorest to cook,
light homes, work, and
protect health
3b people cook on traditional biomass, and every year,
1.6m people die as a result of indoor air pollution.
Collecting firewood and cooking on traditional stoves
can take 3 hours a day, mostly from women and
children, and it degrades the local environment. 1.6b
people don't have access to electricity, and rely on
unhealthy fuels such as kerosene for lighting. Lack of
modern energy also hinders development goals such
as health care as vaccines and medicines can't be
kept cold.
An efficient cookstove allows the poorest to cook
with convenience and safety. BP Oorja users purchase
pellets made by local entrepreneurs out of agricultural
waste. The BP Oorja cookstove reduces toxic
emissions by 98%, reduces fuel consumption, and
takes preparation and cooking time down to 40 min a
day from 3 hours.
The Envirofit stove operates with traditional fuel such
as wood, but reduces fuel consumption by up to 50%,
cooking time by 40%, and toxic emissions by up to 80%.
The Envirofit cookstove costs $17 and the BP Oorja
cookstove costs $14 upfront and $0.40 a week for
pellets; both are expected to last over five years. At
these prices cookstoves are affordable by the BOP500,
the poorest level. 9
Figure 6 Improved air quality with clean cookstove
9 Please see pg 89 for an explanation of the BOP income levels
Novel mass-market solar lanterns allow low-income
consumers to charge mobile phones and secure light for
education, working, and fishing, at a cost of $10 to $45.
High energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) technology
means these lanterns are cheaper, last longer and require
less energy than with traditional or CFL bulbs. LED lighting
is eight to ten times brighter than kerosene, and does not
cause a gas or fire risk. At this price, solar lanterns are
affordable for the BOP500; some companies also provide
microfinance for the poorest customers. The cost savings
compared to previous sources recoup the expense in
about 8 months.
Energy means health in places like rural
Mozambique, where Vidagas distributes LPG cylinders
to health clinics, restaurants, and increasingly households.
Vidagas ensures a cold chain between 2 and 8°C
over the "last mile" to clinics. Since 2002 there has
been a 27% increase in childhood vaccination. For
BOP3000+ families, LPG also provides a safe cooking
alternative to wood or charcoal. LPG is affordable to
small enterprises that serve the BOP, such as clinics or
businesses, but is not affordable to BOP individuals
without subsidies.
Interview
Avik Roy is running Access, a distribution company
in the state of Maharashtra, India and is
a Hystra network partner.
Avik, what is the main challenge to spread
cookstoves and lanterns to the BOP?
These products now need to find their way to the remotest
areas and social marketing and distribution are both tough
challenges. This means setting up a supply chain and finding
the right people to sell them in every village. And you have to
convince customers to change their habits, for instance to use
enhanced cookstoves. This is a challenge but also a fantastic
opportunity to build local entrepreneurs.
Do you think rural distributors are going to take on
the challenge?
Yes, this additional business is very attractive for rural retailers,
even those currently selling FMCG or commodities.