Building Local Manufacturing Capacity of Insulated Solar Electric Cookers
Project Overview
The Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC) Programme is an international clean cooking initiative led by the African STEM Education Initiative in collaboration with global research and development partners. The project focuses on advancing modern electric cooking technologies that are efficient, affordable, and suitable for local manufacturing in developing countries.
Many households in Africa still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking, which contributes to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and high energy costs. The ISEC programme promotes innovative cooking solutions powered by electricity and solar energy to address these challenges and support the transition to clean cooking.
The Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC)
The Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC) is an energy-efficient cooking system designed to reduce electricity consumption while enabling safe and convenient indoor cooking.
The cooker uses high insulation and efficient heating technology to retain heat and reduce energy loss during cooking. It can operate using solar photovoltaic systems, grid electricity, or hybrid energy sources, making it suitable for both urban and rural environments.
This innovation makes electric cooking more affordable and accessible, while significantly reducing dependence on biomass fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
Deployment in Schools and Communities
ASEI has expanded the ISEC technology through initiatives such as ISEC for Schools (IFS), which introduces clean cooking solutions in educational institutions.
Many schools rely on large amounts of firewood for cooking, which increases operational costs and contributes to environmental degradation. Through this initiative, solar-powered electric cooking systems are being installed to provide clean, reliable, and sustainable cooking energy.
A pilot installation at Kyebambe Girls Secondary School in Uganda demonstrates how solar electricity can power school kitchens while reducing firewood consumption and improving kitchen conditions.
Building Local Manufacturing and Future Impact
A major goal of the programme is to develop local manufacturing capacity for clean cooking technologies. By training students, technicians, and local innovators, the initiative helps create skills, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Through partnerships with universities, vocational institutions, and community organizations, ASEI is supporting the development of locally produced electric cooking systems that can be scaled across Africa.
By combining technology innovation, education, and sustainability, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to clean, modern cooking for households and institutions.