MECS-PEEDA Dissemination Workshop highlights opportunities to develop urgently needed eCooking local after sales services

By Prem Bikram Karki (PEEDA) & Richard Sieff (Gamos Ltd./MECS)

Repair and Extended Producer Responsibility are two threads of work within the MECS portfolio that rarely come to the foreground. They are vitally important for the longer term use of eCooking. In this blog we belatedly report on how the Nepal community are approaching these, focusing on a key workshop that happened late last year. People, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA) organized the workshop on 30th October 2024 in Lalitpur, Nepal, to share the findings from their MECS-funded study into developing urgently needed local after-sales services for electric cooking (eCooking) appliances and understanding the impact of appliance subsidies on household eCooking usage. Conducted in Solukhumbhu and South Lalitpur districts, the research targeted areas critical for sustainable promotion of eCooking in Nepal. More than 20 different organizations and institutions participated in the workshop including energy and clean cooking practitioners representing the Government of Nepal, development organizations (NGO/INGOs), academic institutions, vocational training institutions, private entities, electric cooking technology suppliers, and media groups.

AEPC Executive Director Nawa Raj Dhakal provided opening remarks and formally launched the widely endorsed PEEDA repair manuals and repair training modules for electric pressure cookers (EPCs) and induction stoves. The manuals and modules provide step-by-step instructions for the diagnosis and repair of the main issues affecting EPCs & induction stoves. Reflecting on the work, Mr Dhakal reiterated AEPC’s endorsement of the manuals and highlighted the benefits of eCooking for health, quality of life, gender equality and lower fuel costs, referencing the Energy Sector Roadmap 2035, 16^th Five-Year Plan and forthcoming Third NDC Plan as examples of key government policy frameworks supporting the eCooking transition.

Research findings: focus on after sales service for sustainability

The main findings of the PEEDA study were then presented by Alina Dangol (PEEDA) who emphasized the urgent need to develop local eCooking repair services, with repair training and materials covering (as a minimum) the most common issues and faults identified. She also highlighted how subsidy schemes which distribute induction stoves for free without compatible cookware and after-sales sensitization correlate with low use of eCooking and repair services and were therefore not recommended. Complimenting the after sales focus of the workshop, Bhuwan Chalise from social enterprise Doko Recyclers then presented findings from their MECS funded research on developing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for eWaste in Nepal. Bhuwan highlighted how the need for an EPR policy is crucial if Nepal’s rapidly increasing eWaste volumes (including from projected eCooking growth) are to be effectively managed.

Developing and mainstreaming eCooking after sales services

In the second half of the workshop, participants took part in round table discussions focused on further developing local after sales services and future pathways for sustainable eCooking promotion in Nepal. To introduce the session, PEEDA’s CEO, Biraj Gautam provided a presentation summarizing the key takeaways from a recent Nepal National Electric Cooking Campaign (NECC) meeting on after sales services. Three questions addressing key challenges identified from the meeting were then discussed by the workshop participants, with the key takeaways from each provided below:

Q1: How can we make eCooking repair and maintenance (R&M) a viable sustainable business?

• Participants highlighted the need for eCooking R&M to be an additional service to an existing business as a standalone business was not viable due to insufficient current demand. Further suggestions included raising consumer awareness of maintenance best practices and existing repair services (where available) as well as increasing the availability of quality and affordable spare parts. An alternative approach highlighted was to make the producer accountable for technical faults.

Q2: How can we inform consumers about how to get the most out of their eCooking appliances (including R&M)? What are the most important messages we need to communicate?

• This question struck a chord with participants as there was strong consensus that mechanisms to influence post-purchase consumer behaviour change were “a must”. Suggested mechanisms included demonstrations and word-of-mouth sensitization through trusted stakeholders such as local eCooking champions. For larger scale sensitization, participants suggested 360-degree marketing campaigns¹ and for the government to develop messaging promoting eCooking as a public good.
• In terms of the most important messages to communicate, participants recommended focusing on both economic and non-economic benefits of eCooking. Raising awareness of the choice of eCooking appliances and utensils available and how to identify quality appliances and utensils at different price points was also emphasized. To support longevity and utility, participants recommended raising consumer awareness of the importance of appliance warranties (and what they cover), basic cleaning and maintenance practices, proper use, and the need for suitable household electrical infrastructure to support appliances (e.g. suitably safe wiring).

Q3: How can we mainstream eCooking R&M training? Should we standardize training? If yes, how?

• Responding to this question, participants suggested collaborations with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT, the national body for vocational training) and local governments as ways to mainstream and certify R&M training. Suggested mechanisms for standardizing training were establishing a standardized CTEVT-certified course, common usage of training materials such as the PEEDA repair manuals and using only ‘genuine’ spare parts when repairing. Developing R&M YouTube/social media videos was also suggested as a support and reference point for technicians newly trained in eCooking appliance repair.
  

Next steps and latest developments

Going forward, the key takeaways from each discussion highlight potential opportunities to further develop work in eCooking after sales services, building on the findings of the PEEDA research. The widespread endorsement of the repair materials has also been reflected by substantial uptake of the manuals. To date, PEEDA have provided over 400 manuals to a range of organisations for use in their programmes and service centres, including for: the Government Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) and Renewable Energy for Livelihood (RERL) Project; development agencies (e.g. GIZ, Practical Action, WWF, ABF, WoNEE); and major eCooking appliance brands such as Baltra. For organisations interested in obtaining copies of the repair manuals and modules, please contact PEEDA using this link.

For further information on this research, please see the outputs below:

• PEEDA (2024) Final Report: Developing Local After-Sales Services to Support a Sustainable Electric Cooking Ecosystem in Nepal (Link)
• PEEDA (2024) Final Report: Assessing the impact of appliance subsidies on electric cooking usage in Nepal (Link)
• Doko Recyclers (2025) Final Report: Framework Development for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in E-waste and E-cooking Devices in Nepal’ (Final report / Blog)

Links to workshop presentations:

• PEEDA – Developing local after-sales services for eCooking and the impact of appliance subsidies on household eCooking usage.
• Doko Recyclers – Developing an EPR Policy for eWaste in Nepal .
• MECS-PEEDA – Key Takeaways from the NECC Dialogue on After Sales Services.

***************************************************************************************************************

Footnote:
¹ A 360 marketing campaign is an integrated strategy that combines different marketing channels such as email, social media, search engine optimisation (SEO), and traditional media in order to reach potential customers from multiple angles (Fuelius, 2024).

Featured Image: The formal launch of the MECS-PEEDA EPC and induction stove repair manuals by AEPC Executive Director, Nawa Raj Dhakal. Photo credit: (PEEDA, 2024).