FAO, GBEP and the Government of Uganda work together to identify sustainable clean cooking solutions: a focus on bioethanol fuel and technologies for clean cooking
©Bukona Agro
Rome, Italy – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), is partnering with the Government of Uganda to host a National Workshop on Bioethanol for Clean Cooking. This workshop set on 12 September 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, is a key component of the GBEP-led project, “International Dialogues on Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel in Selected Countries in Africa and Asia,” with Uganda being one of the prioritized pilot countries.
The upcoming national workshop, endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda (MEMD) and with funding support from the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), aims to build consensus and knowledge on the viability and sustainability of bioethanol as a clean cooking fuel. The discussions will cover the diverse applications of bioethanol in various contexts, including urban, rural, and humanitarian settings, to ensure that solutions are tailored to Uganda's diverse needs.
The initiative aligns closely with Uganda's Third National Development Plan (NDP III) and the recently updated 2023 Energy Policy, which set the ambitious goals to reduce reliance on biomass energy for cooking from over 85 percent to 50 percent and to increase the share of clean energy for cooking from 15 percent to 50 percent.
"The Ministry is developing a National Integrated Clean Cooking Strategy (NICCS) that aims to guide national action towards this ambition and transition to enable access for all Ugandan households and institutions through the promotion of a mix of clean cooking solutions, including bioethanol. Beyond energy, a sustainable bioethanol sector also presents broader socio-economic benefits, more specifically, alternative off-taker markets for excess agricultural produce and local employment along the entire value chain, thereby enabling inclusive agro-based development,” reads the MEMD endorsement letter signed by Permanent Secretary Irene Bateebe.
"Uganda is setting an excellent example for the region with its commitment to provide clean energy for all, while supporting rural development and fostering long-term health, environmental and economic benefits. We are excited to see how our combined efforts will strengthen bioethanol as a key option in the spectrum of clean cooking solutions and contribute to accelerate a just and inclusive clean cooking transition across Africa,” said GBEP Coordinator Tiziana Pirelli.
Multistakeholder dialogues on bioethanol, such as this national workshop in Uganda, aim to bring together diverse groups to identify opportunities and challenges in the path towards a sustainable clean energy transition; foster collaboration among governments, industry, and communities; and develop effective policies and standards. A national workshop on bioethanol for clean cooking will also take place in Rwanda in September.
