PowerUP eCooking Behavioural Change Pilot: Summary Report

PowerUP launched the eCooking Behavioural Change Pilot to explore the viability of electric pressure cookers (EPCs) among low-income, grid-connected households in Kampala with the support of MECS. These communities, while having access to electricity, still heavily depend on charcoal for daily cooking. The pilot tested real-time interventions to determine their effectiveness in transitioning more cooking to electric and the impact smoke-free cooking and reduced energy costs. This project was also aligned with global efforts to modernize cooking and support carbon market innovation through digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) systems. The insights from this pilot provide a critical foundation for future programs aiming to scale electric cooking interventions in similar environments.

The eCooking Behavioural Change Pilot aimed to understand user adoption patterns and cooking behavior in a real-world context. It tested various customer engagement and sales strategies to encourage regular EPC usage and sought to identify barriers that prevent sustained adoption. In addition, the pilot supported the development of a digital data platform for usage monitoring, with the goal of contributing to emerging carbon credit methodologies. It also assessed the operational feasibility of offering EPCs through both upfront cash purchases and flexible financing models.