Building an Efficient Fan Market with India’s Small Manufacturers
Every day, millions of Indian households rely on ceiling fans to stay cool. In this video, Neha Dhingra explains why the small manufacturers behind these fans are essential to delivering affordable, energy-efficient cooling, and how the right support can help them meet evolving efficiency standards and reach more people while supporting India’s energy and climate goals.
Building an Efficient Fan Market with India's Small Manufacturers
Running time: 2:06
Region: India, Asia
Featuring: Neha Dhingra
Explore CLASP’s YouTube channel for more videos about the transformative power of efficient appliances.
Find CLASP at London Climate Action Week 2026
From 20-28 June, CLASP’s experts will be at London Climate Action Week to put a spotlight on the role of appliance and equipment efficiency in enhancing energy security, affordability, economic development and job growth, and climate mitigation and adaptation.
Energy efficient appliances, lighting and equipment are a pivotal solution as the world faces increasing energy demand alongside rising prices and unstable energy supply. CLASP’s research demonstrates that widespread adoption of efficient appliances—through diverse approaches across policymaking, financing, innovation, and more—can slash climate-warming emissions and improve the health, economic wellbeing, and livelihoods of billions of people, including those in the most climate vulnerable regions.
To invite CLASP experts to speak at your LCAW event, please contact Alexia Ross at aross@clasp.ngo.
Connect with CLASP at LCAW 2026:
Event title | Date and time | Location | Host | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ayrton Forum 2026: Electrifying Development | Monday 22 June 11:40-13:00 | Register interest to access address | Ayrton Fund | |
The rate of investment of energy efficiency for corporates Breakfast Briefing | Wednesday 24 June 09:30 – 11:30 | The Clove Building 4 Maguire Street London SE1 2NQ United Kingdom | Smart Energy Coalition, Climate Group | |
Power. Grids. Opportunity. Action. Mapping the Energy System for Impact | Wednesday 24 June 10:00-11:30 | Systemiq London Offices, 10–12 Russell Square , WC1B 5EH, or virtually | Global Energy Alliance, Global Grids Coalition, and Systemiq | |
Powering Africa’s Green Economy How can climate finance unlock clean energy solutions for jobs, livelihoods and rural growth? | Wednesday 24 June 12:00 – 14:00 | The View, Sustainable Ventures, County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB | Ashden, CLASP, Intellecap | |
From Fire to Wire: Electrifying Homes for Health & Climate | Wednesday 24 June 15:30-17:30 | Dalberg Advisors Offices, Shoreditch: 5th Floor, Cordy House 91 Curtain Rd London, UK | Stanford’s Center for Human & Planetary Health, Dalberg Advisors, and partners | |
Devex IMPACT HOUSE @ London Climate Action Week The Next Test for Climate Finance: Integrity, Scale, and Trust | Thursday 25 June Session at 11:15 | Register interest to access address | Devex |
CLASP at your next event
Our team of experts leads the global conversation on the role of efficient appliances in fighting climate change and improving people’s lives. Please email us to learn more about the ways we can collaborate and connect.
Make a guest speaker inquiryIn India, Solar-Powered Crop Storage Helps Farmers and the Economy
For Lokratnam, a farmer in Andhra Pradesh, India, some of the biggest challenges in her work used to begin after the harvest. Heatwaves, floods, and a lack of refrigerated storage often forced her to watch her produce rot or sell it as quickly as possible.
“All our produce would get spoiled, and we would throw it out as waste. Whatever was left, we used to sell, but at rock-bottom prices, with no profits to show for it,” she said.
Her experience reflects a wider reality across many low- and middle-income countries. According to the United Nations, a lack of refrigeration is a key driver of food waste, resulting in the loss of roughly 12% of the world’s produce—enough to feed an estimated 1 billion people—in 2017.
In India, the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, crop loss has serious implications for the national economy. According to the Ministry of Finance, agriculture and related fields account for roughly 16% of the nation’s GDP and employ approximately half of its workforce. But 30 to 40% of India’s fruits and vegetables are lost after harvest, dramatically reducing farmers’ earning potential.
Room-size refrigerated storage equipment, often referred to as cold storage units or walk-in cold rooms, can change this reality. By keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for longer, cold storage units reduce losses and give farmers more control over when they sell their crops and for what price. For farmers, this translates to increased profits, a more stable income, and improved livelihoods. For the nation, it means economic growth.
Solar energy is key to helping more Indian farmers access cold storage units, making it possible to locate this equipment in rural areas, where the power grid is often absent or unreliable. Solar-powered systems offer dependable, affordable solutions for storing produce close to where it is grown.
India’s government is working to help more farmers access this important solution. Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture under the Ministry of Power, is collaborating with CLASP to expand access through the Low-Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme, a flagship research, development, and demonstration initiative under Efficiency for Access.
The collaboration began with the installation of six micro solar cold storage units across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha. Financing from The Asia Development Bank covered 75% of the capital costs, with farmers paying the rest.
There are now plans to deploy up to 150 units nationwide, unlocking $3.6 million in financing from the Indian government, private investors, and farmers (who are receiving loans to help cover their costs).
This effort will one day reverberate across India’s economy. For farmers like Lokratnam, however, the benefits are immediate and tangible.
“Now, with the cold storage, we are able to keep our custard apple, tamarind, and honey fresh and sell them later,” she said, referring to high-value crops. “It has changed everything for us, bringing profits without any losses.”
Farmers gathered beside a solar-powered cold storage unit.
CLASP
Source list
“Agriculture and Food Management: Raising Productivity, Securing Incomes and Ensuring Food Security.” In Economic Survey 2025–2026. Government of India, Ministry of Finance. Accessed May 21, 2026.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “India at a Glance.” Accessed May 21, 2026.
Government of India, Press Information Bureau Delhi. “Highlights of Economic Survey 2024–25.” Accessed May 21, 2026.
Ranjan, Juhi, and Ramesh Sahni. “Post Harvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables in India.” Ropan, September 2023, 41–45.
Sustainable Food Cold Chains: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward. United Nations Environment Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2022.
Residential Energy Consumption Patterns and Appliance Ownership in India: Insights From a 2024 Household Survey
India’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a growing population, an expanding economy, and growing access to modern energy services.
With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, India’s residential sector is a key contributor to the country’s overall electricity consumption. As of 2024–25, it accounts for ~25% of total electricity usage in the country, with an annual growth rate of 6%.
To better understand the factors driving up this energy use, CLASP conducted a study examining appliance ownership, usage patterns, and their impact on residential electricity demand. The study draws on data collected from a sample of 4,321 households across 20 states, covering both urban and rural areas and representing major climatic zones.
Key findings
- Energy consumption in surveyed households is not uniform: Climatic conditions, socioeconomic status, awareness of energy efficiency strongly influence appliance use.
- Among surveyed households, electricity use is primarily driven by thermal comfort, which accounts for 40% of total consumption, reflecting the growing demand for cooling solutions. Kitchen appliances contribute 28% to electricity use, while lighting accounts for 11%, and other miscellaneous uses make up the remaining 21%.
Annual electricity use in surveyed households by end use
- Affordability is a decisive factor in appliance purchases, often outweighing energy efficiency considerations.
- Consumer behavior around energy efficiency is inconsistent. All surveyed households reported using LED lighting, however, only 2% actively considered energy efficiency when purchasing lighting solutions. This contrast highlights the importance of initiatives promoting the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
By identifying the key factors that influence residential energy use, this study aims to inform the development of effective energy efficiency policies and provide policy recommendations for managing growing demand efficiently. By acting on these insights, India can ensure that its residential sector evolves in a sustainable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient manner.
2025 CLASP Annual Report
Collective action for people,
prosperity, and planet.
A note from CLASP’s CEO,
Christine Egan
Appliance and equipment energy efficiency is a triple-win for people, planet, and prosperity. In a time of multiplying global crises, it stands out as a durable climate solution and key element of smart decarbonization strategies. It also creates jobs and improves livelihoods, enhances energy security and food system resilience, and helps people adapt to a changing climate.
Looking back at 2025, I’m wowed by the work of CLASP’s global team and dedicated partners, and the focus of the decisionmakers we support. Through purposeful collaboration, we forged the policy instruments, finance, and intelligence to drive positive momentum.
Together, we are changing the way we use energy.
2025 by the numbers:
4.6 Gt 18 CLASP-supported appliance and equipment efficiency policies will avoid 4.6 gigatons of CO2 by 2050, improving planetary and human health and saving money.
30K+ Over 30,000 people experienced improved health and livelihoods via access to efficient, solar powered appliances and equipment.
Skyline of Jakarta, Indonesia
Image credit: CLASP
Elevating Appliance Efficiency in National Climate Commitments
What we did
Ahead of COP30, CLASP led a global campaign to improve inclusion of appliance and equipment energy efficiency in national climate goals (nationally determined contributions or NDCs).
How we did it
Through our Net Zero Appliance NDC Toolkit and bespoke support for governments around the globe, CLASP elevated appliance efficiency policy as a key climate mitigation solution. Now, appliance and equipment efficiency policy is included in 90% of all submitted NDCs—up from below 50% in the last cycle.
Image credit: CLASP
Powering Africa’s Green Economy
Solar-powered appliances and equipment turn energy into opportunity, helping small businesses generate jobs and income. In 2025, CLASP re-launched our innovative Productive Use Financing Facility to make it cheaper and easier for entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria to buy solar-powered appliances and equipment that power livelihoods. Last year, CLASP partnered with 11 companies to drive jobs and economic growth in Africa’s informal and agricultural sectors, which make up 70-80% of African economies.
Slashing Emissions Through Smart Policy
Australia
National leaders passed a lighting policy that will transition Australia’s market to an all-LED future and avoid 41 Mt of CO₂ by 2050, informed by CLASP-led analysis.
Brazil
Policymakers made strides in Brazil’s LED transition with CLASP’s support, approving a lighting policy package that will slash nearly 3 Mt CO₂ by 2050.
China
CLASP supported seven major policy updates, including for compressed air systems, refrigerators, and water pumps. Altogether, the new policies are estimated to cut nearly 3 Gt CO₂ by 2050.
India
CLASP supported the advancement of policies for space cooling appliances that will place India among global leaders in efficiency and cut 1.2 Gt CO₂ by 2050.
Image credit: ImageDB
Making Efficient, Affordable Fans the New Standard in India
India is one of the places on the planet most at risk of extreme heat. 90% of households rely on fans as their only form of space cooling. CLASP partnered with government and private sector partners to drastically improve fan efficiency, availability, and affordability. A major part of the effort was supporting small and medium enterprises to improve their production capacity.
The impact has been catalytic. Together, CLASP and partners cut energy demand and climate emissions from cooling, while safeguarding jobs, strengthening local supply chains, and making efficient cooling more affordable to the people who need it.
Joining Up with the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme
CLASP joined the UK Aid-supported MECS programme as a core partner alongside Loughborough University and the World Bank’s ESMAP. CLASP now leads on venture building and market shaping, helping e-cooking businesses scale up. In 2025, CLASP launched the Global LEAP Awards Induction Cooktops Competition to identify and promote the most innovative electric cooktops on the market.
CLASP's Sumedha Awasthy & Nya Abagi at the Global LEAP Awards Induction Cooktops Competition workshop in New Delhi, India.
Image credit: CLASP
EcoBora, an innovative electric cooking company in Kenya, supported by CLASP through the MECS programme.
Image credit: CLASP
CLASP’s India Director, Neha Dhingra, speaking at the Modern Energy Cooking Forum in New Delhi, India, in September 2025.
Image credit: Finovista
Emmanuel Aziebor, CLASP’s Senior Director, Africa, at Kenya Clean Cooking Week.
Image credit: CLASP
How UK Housing Authorities Can Power the Switch to Electric Cooking
Global Action Plan, in partnership with CLASP, piloted gas-to-electric cooking retrofits in a social housing community in Manchester.
For participating households, switching to electric meant more than lower emissions. It meant breathing more easily in the kitchen, a cleaner and more practical cooking experience, and greater peace of mind for families with young children. Every household preferred its new induction cooktop over gas.
Watch the video:
Image credit: CLASP
Economies Can Boom When Powered by Efficient Motor Systems
Industrial motor systems are the invisible heartbeat of economic development. Universally used across industrial facilities, they power the production of goods like metals, paper, cement, textiles, and packaged food. Motor systems are also ferocious energy consumers, due to their function and prevalence. Without intervention, and in step with global economic development and industrialization, by 2050 motor systems will account for 35% of global electricity demand and 19% of energy related emissions. CLASP is taking action on this priority appliance in the fight for Net Zero, identifying high impact opportunities at national and global scales to drive up efficiency, slash emissions, and boost economic progress.
Image credit: CLASP
In Brazil, Partnering for Change
Ahead of COP30 in Brazil, CLASP joined forces with science communication agency Bori to drive national awareness of the benefits of appliance efficiency. Our InfoEnergia Mentorship was an 8-week, in-depth workshop that connected 25 journalists with experts and expertise to produce smart, contextualized reporting on appliance efficiency and its social, economic, and environmental impacts. Robust local journalism is a key element of durable climate policy.
Elevating Appliance-Centered Solutions at COP30
At COP 30 in Brazil, appliance and equipment energy efficiency stood out as a powerful climate solution, driving job creation, energy security, and adaptive capacity. CLASP provided expert testimony on the power of appliance efficiency solutions.
CLASP’s Bishal Thapa participated in discussion on space cooling solutions, offering insights about the benefits of efficient cooling technologies that slash emissions.
Image credit: CLASP
CLASP’s Edilaine Camillo moderated a conversation on the principal role of efficiency in Brazil’s energy transition during an agency-led day of efficiency themed events.
Image credit: CLASP
CLASP’s Bishal Thapa took part in a panel hosted by Casa Civil to speak about the role of energy efficiency policy in Brazil’s reindustrialization strategy.
Image credit: CLASP
Insights driving action
Delivering COP28’s Doubling Efficiency Goal Through Appliances
Appliance efficiency will play a critical role in meeting the COP28 commitment to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030. CLASP research found it could deliver 20% of the energy savings needed, highlighting the value of strong standards, clear targets, and international collaboration.
The Missing Piece of Energy Access
666 million people, most of them in Africa, lack access to electricity. 2025 CLASP research shows that directing just 15% of existing energy investments toward efficient appliances can generate the demand needed to make grid expansions financially viable and help those currently living without electricity gain access to healthier, more productive lives.
Finances
- Revenue by donor type
- Expenses by region
- CLASP collaborates with a global network of partners. In 2025, CLASP channeled nearly half our resources to civil society and energy groups, innovators, academic institutions, and experts — essential partners in changing the way we use energy.
About CLASP
Efficient appliances and equipment are essential drivers of economic growth and a fast, practical energy transition. With over 25 years of expertise and offices on five continents, CLASP collaborates with governments, industry leaders, and other experts to change the way we use energy.
We’re proud of what our team and partners achieved in 2025, driving progress for a better world. In 2026, we remain committed to championing appliance efficiency as a powerful solution for people, prosperity, and planet.
Making Efficient, Affordable Fans the New Standard in India
With temperatures soaring globally due to climate change, India is one of the places on the planet most at risk of extreme heat. Ceiling fans are widely used, with 90% of households relying on fans as their only form of space cooling.
Over a period of three years, CLASP partnered with both the Indian government and private sector to drastically improve the affordability and availability of efficient fans. A major part of the effort was working with small and medium enterprises to build their capacity to produce more efficient fans.
The results have been catalytic. Together, CLASP and our partners have cut energy demand from cooling, while safeguarding jobs and strengthening local supply chains, and making efficient fans more affordable to the people who need them.
A Systems Approach to Efficient Cooling Access
For many households in India, a ceiling fan can turn a space from unbearable to livable, enabling productivity, schoolwork, comfort, and health. With total stock projected to reach 1 billion by 2038, improving fan efficiency represents a major opportunity to cut energy demand. At the beginning of this project, fans accounted for about 40% of residential electricity consumption.
In 2023, CLASP supported India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency to improve the energy efficiency policy for ceiling fans. The policy enacted a huge shift in the market, making formerly 5-star labeled fans (most efficient) now 1-star (least efficient), and raising the baseline efficiency by over 25%.
Meeting these standards, however, was challenging for medium and small enterprise (MSME) manufacturers, which produced roughly 40% to 50% of fans. Without support, these manufacturers risked losing their market share, which would lead to job losses, a weakened domestic supply chain, and, subsequently, over-reliance on imports to meet cooling demand in India.
Fan manufacturing facility in Kolkata, India
Image credit: CLASP
To prevent this, CLASP worked closely with MSMEs to build their capacity to produce more efficient fans and participate in functions of the policy program, including testing, certification, and technical committees. MSMEs now have a seat at the table in the policy process, further edifying domestic businesses and contributing to long-term policy durability.
CLASP also partnered with Energy Efficient Services Limited, a state-owned energy service company, to develop a bulk procurement initiative for super-efficient fans. The initiative sought to drive down the cost of 5-star, or most efficient, ceiling fans through economies of scale, ensuring they were more available and affordable to a wider range of consumers.
Better Cooling for People, Prosperity & Planet
More efficient cooling supports India’s national climate goals and Thermal Comfort for All agenda. But this initiative also demonstrates that holistic climate action can strengthen businesses, energy security, and benefit regular people.
Our impact in numbers:
- Cut 159 Mt CO2 by 2050 and reduced demand by 218 TWh
- Lowered ceiling fan purchase price by over 25%
- 3x more manufacturers producing the technology
- Tripled the number of 5-star labelled, or most efficient fans, available on the market, with production volumes increasing by 63%
- 65% increase in medium and small enterprise participation in the policy program
India Raises AC Efficiency Amid Growing Demand
India is facing hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves, making cooling essential for millions of households. About 110 million room air conditioners (ACs) are already in use in the country, which is expected to add another 130–150 million units over the next decade, making it one of the fastest-growing cooling markets in the world. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a ninefold rise in home AC ownership in the country by 2050. This growth could increase peak power demand by more than 180 gigawatts (GW) by 2035, putting significant strain on the power system.
Yet access to cooling remains highly unequal. Only about 8% of India’s 300 million households own an AC, with higher-income urban families accounting for most of this group. Rural AC ownership remains at around 1%, and the richest 10% of households hold the majority of ACs.
Why efficiency matters
Without stronger energy efficiency standards, the growth in AC ownership will lock in high energy use, drive up emissions, and increase household energy costs. Efficient ACs reduce electricity consumption, lower peak demand on the grid, and make cooling more affordable.
India’s energy labeling program has already helped buyers choose better-performing ACs and has shaped the market toward higher efficiency, but more can be done.
India’s new room AC efficiency standards
To meet the rising cooling demand, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India has approved stringent efficiency standards for room ACs, effective January 2026, with further revisions in 2028, which will put India’s standards at global best levels. The standards establish minimum efficiency levels that appliances must meet, encouraging the use of more energy-efficient models.
By 2030, the new efficiency standards could reduce India’s peak electricity load by 8–10 GW, avoiding the need for more than 20 large coal power plants. Consumers could collectively save $12 billion on electricity bills annually, making cooling more affordable, especially for low and middle-income households. At the same time, they could help the country avoid up to 12 megatons (Mt) of CO₂ emissions annually.
India’s efficiency journey
The BEE has led India’s AC efficiency journey for nearly two decades. It introduced the star labeling system for room air conditioners in 2006 to remove inefficient appliances from the market and enable informed decision-making for consumers who might purchase high-efficiency products. Since then, baseline standards have been periodically tightened, resulting in a 43% energy efficiency improvement in ACs sold in the country. Inverter ACs, which are more energy-efficient, now dominate the domestic market, and companies have adopted a default temperature of 24°C to save energy.
These standards advance the goals of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), which targets a 20–25% reduction in cooling demand by 2037–38 through efficient appliances, sustainable refrigerants, and improved building design.
By promoting efficient cooling, India is managing energy use, strengthening resilience against extreme heat, protecting public health, and creating jobs in manufacturing, testing, and supply chains.
Data-driven support for stronger standards
CLASP supported BEE by providing robust, evidence-based analysis to ensure that the new standards are both ambitious and achievable. It built clear evidence through product tests and an analysis of the Indian market, demonstrating that upgraded standards were both technically achievable and practical. It conducted affordability and feasibility studies and reviewed global pricing trends. It also assessed the financial performance of publicly listed companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The analysis confirmed that higher efficiency was financially viable. By providing this evidence, CLASP helped ensure that the revised standards are technically sound, cost-effective, and aligned with India’s goals of reducing electricity demand, emissions, and consumer costs.
India’s approach shows that fast-growing economies can expand access to cooling without harming the environment. Higher efficiency will also spur the adoption of next-generation ACs, creating new jobs in manufacturing, design, and testing, and contributing to economic growth.
Accelerating India’s Shift to Clean Cooking
CLASP participated in the fourth Modern Energy Cooking Forum (MECF 2025) in New Delhi on 26 September. The event brought together diverse stakeholders to work towards integrating electric cooking (e-cooking) into India’s energy and climate policies.
Efficient cooking advances health, equity, and climate goals
Globally, more than 2 billion people still rely on polluting fuels like wood, charcoal, kerosene, or coal as their main cooking fuel1. In India, about 54% of households use traditional solid fuels, either as their main source of energy or alongside liquefied petroleum gas, contributing significantly to indoor air pollution2. Dependence on solid fuels negatively impacts people’s quality of life. It harms people’s health through exposure to smoke and pollutants, and it also limits productivity and keeps households trapped in a never-ending cycle of labor-intensive chores.
Improving household access to e-cooking helps address these challenges while advancing energy and climate goals. Shifting to cleaner, more efficient electric cooking can help reduce respiratory illness symptoms and other health impacts, save households time and money, while freeing up hours spent on fuel collection and cooking. From a climate perspective, the widespread adoption of e-cooking can reduce emissions from the residential energy sector and contribute to India’s decarbonization goals.
CLASP supports India's shift to clean cooking
At MECF 2025, Neha Dhingra, CLASP’s Director, India, shared CLASP’s approach for accelerating India’s clean cooking transition. The approach focuses on market-shaping activities:
- Policy and institutional collaborations: CLASP has a longstanding relationship with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and will continue working with government stakeholders to align policies, standards, and procurement with clean cooking solutions. These collaborations are critical to ensuring that solutions are available and supported by national policies.
- Evidence and risk reduction: By providing robust appliance performance data and consumer insights, CLASP helps policymakers, financiers, and companies make informed investments in e-cooking.
- Consumer awareness and demand: CLASP will continue supporting campaigns that highlight the tangible benefits of e-cooking, from household savings to improved air quality and safer kitchens.
Photo by Finovista.
Left to right: Sheetal Rastogi, Director and Co-founder of Finovista, Dr. Nick Rousseau, International Liason Manager at MECS Programme, and Neha Dhingra, Director at CLASP.
Photo by Finovista.
Neha Dhingra, Director at CLASP, presents CLASP's approach for scaling clean cooking in India at the Modern Energy Cooking Forum (MECF) 2025 in New Delhi.
Photo by Finovista.
Sumedha Awasthy, Senior Associate at CLASP, showcases CLASP's clean cooking initiatives at MECF 2025.
Photo by Finovista.
Jatin Mathur, Associate at CLASP, speaks in a session on research in clean cooking at MECF 2025.
“Through MECS, we see opportunities for Indian companies to grow in the domestic market and expand into new markets globally. CLASP is excited to help fill gaps where we can, and ensure that together, we accelerate the transition to efficient e-cooking in India and beyond.”
Neha Dhingra
Director, India (CLASP)
With this approach, CLASP aims to ensure that clean cooking appliances are available, but also affordable, trusted, and widely adopted. Through our partnership with MECS and in collaboration with local partners like Finovista, CLASP will provide venture-building support to Indian manufacturers, help identify high-growth opportunities, refine business models, and develop strategic connections with funders and partners.
CLASP’s Sumedha Awasthy (Senior Associate, Clean Energy Access) and Jatin Mathur (Associate, Clean Energy Access) also contributed to a special session on research and innovation in e-cooking, demonstrating how policy, finance, and market-building can speed up the shift. Their presentation highlighted initiatives such as the Global Leap Awards and the Institutional E-Cooking Demo.
The opportunity for India to scale efficient e-cooking
With universal electricity access3 and a strong cooking appliance industry, India is well-positioned to scale domestic adoption and tap into international markets. CLASP is committed to working alongside partners in India and beyond to ensure that affordable, efficient, clean cooking solutions reach households that need it most. By further improving standards and policies, building markets, and implementing consumer-centric approaches, India can turn MECF’s momentum into lasting impact.
About the Modern Energy Cooking Forum (MECF)
MECF is hosted by Finovista and the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme. This year’s forum strengthened its role as a key platform driving India’s clean cooking dialogue and strategy since 2022. MECF 2025 was supported by NITI Aayog, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.
Discussions focused on decarbonizing the cooking sector, equity, state-level programs, financing, and demand-side challenges and opportunities to scale up e-cooking. A highlight of the forum was the Innovation Pavilion, where new technologies were showcased through live cooking demonstrations for diverse consumer segments.
0. International Energy Agency, “Access to Clean Cooking”. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking
1. Modern Energy Cooking Services programme, “The Green Shift in Clean Cooking Fuel in India”, 18 May 2023. https://mecs.org.uk/blog/the-green-shift-in-clean-cooking-fuel-in-india/
2. International Energy Agency, “Electricity access continues to improve in 2024 – after first global setback in decades”, 5 November 2024. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking
Doubling Energy Efficiency with Appliances
Appliance efficiency could provide roughly one fifth of the reduction in energy demand needed to meet a pivotal climate commitment, according to CLASP’s analysis “Doubling Energy Efficiency with Appliances: How governments can leverage appliances to reach climate targets.” With nearly 110 countries pledging at COP28 to double annual energy efficiency improvements by 2030, more ambitious appliance policies are critical to reaching this goal before the narrow window for net zero by mid-century closes.
Key Findings
- To get on track for net zero emissions by mid-century, the average global annual rate of improvement in energy intensity must double to at least 4% by 2030. Appliance efficiency can deliver approximately 20% of the total reduction in energy demand required to meet this goal.
- Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia have recently taken significant steps to integrate appliance efficiency into their national strategies, recognizing its critical role in achieving energy and climate goals.
Recommendations
- Policymakers must rapidly implement stringent minimum efficiency standards for appliances, ensuring that they meet or exceed the best standards currently in place. Countries with world-leading standards should increase them further to reflect the levels of today’s best available technologies.
- Governments need to embed clear, measurable appliance efficiency targets into their national climate goals. They must also track progress with standardized metrics to stay on course to meet the doubling efficiency goal.
- All stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society must strengthen international and cross-sectoral collaboration to accelerate global energy efficiency gains. This cost-effective approach includes sharing technical expertise, conducting joint market surveillance, and harmonizing standards to overcome common barriers.
0. International Energy Agency, “Access to Clean Cooking”. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking
1. Modern Energy Cooking Services programme, “The Green Shift in Clean Cooking Fuel in India”, 18 May 2023. https://mecs.org.uk/blog/the-green-shift-in-clean-cooking-fuel-in-india/
2. International Energy Agency, “Electricity access continues to improve in 2024 – after first global setback in decades”, 5 November 2024. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking
Ceiling Fan Market Transformation in India
Ceiling fans are among the most ubiquitous appliances in Indian homes, with over 90% of households relying on them as the primary source of cooling, especially in low-income and rural areas. They account for approximately 40% of residential electricity consumption. However, about 97% of these fans are not energy efficient, resulting in higher electricity consumption, increased household energy bills, and elevated emissions associated with cooling.
Within market transformation, bulk procurement programs are powerful tools for transforming markets by accelerating the availability, adoption, and affordability of energy-efficient technologies. This report analyzes a case study of a bulk procurement program in India’s ceiling fan sector, focusing on its outcomes, successes, and lessons learnt.
0. International Energy Agency, “Access to Clean Cooking”. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking
1. Modern Energy Cooking Services programme, “The Green Shift in Clean Cooking Fuel in India”, 18 May 2023. https://mecs.org.uk/blog/the-green-shift-in-clean-cooking-fuel-in-india/
2. International Energy Agency, “Electricity access continues to improve in 2024 – after first global setback in decades”, 5 November 2024. https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking