What about areas with electricity?

The urban/rural divide and the current levels of access to electricity allow us in the GMA report to separate the two distinct markets for PV-eCook (off-grid) and Grid-eCook (at the fringes of the grid).

Comparison of size of Grid-eCook target market segments by electrification and demographic status with ease of reaching this market segment. Figures shows that both China and India make up the largest markets for Grid-eCook, however China has reportedly reached 100% electrification and as a result, falls off the radar for PV-eCook[i]. Bulgaria and Swaziland represent the easiest markets to enter for Grid eCook, however in both countries, the target market segment is small. In fact, it is Asian countries (represented in blue on the figures), such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan, that come out most favourably, as they are favourable contexts with large target markets. In contrast, the picture is much clearer for PV-eCook, as Kenya is both the easiest market to enter and has one of the biggest target market segments. It is closely followed by a number of East African countries (shown in orange on the figure), such as Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda.

[i] This raises the question – is electrification (ie connection to the grid) enough to consider a market for PV-ecook non existent.  Approximately 32% of households still use biomass for cooking in China (Duan et al 2017).  Are these people connected for light but not enough for cooking – or is the price point such that it is cheaper to cook with alternatives such as LPG and biomass.  It may therefore be an error of aggregation to assume there is no market for PV-ecook on China.

Comparison of size of PV-eCook target market segments by electrification and demographic status with ease of reaching these market segments (viability).

Countries coloured by region: AIMS, Central Africa, Central America & Caribbean, Central Asia & North Korea, East Africa, Europe, India & China, Middle East , North Africa, Pacific Islands & PNG, South America & Mexico, South Asia (excl. India), Southeast Asia, Southern Africa  and West Africa. Two-letter country codes listed in the GMA report Regional colour coding and two-letter country codes.

Comparison of size of Grid-eCook target market segments by electrification and demographic status with ease of reaching this market segment.