12
Nov

REG announces that research has demonstrated a new method for cooking with solar energy. People living in areas without access to on-grid electricity can cook using solar energy. This research aims to solve the fuel problem in Rwanda.

This research, which has been carried out for more than a year and a month by the Rwandan Energy Group REG in collaboration with the British University  Coventry University, has shown that there is irrevocably a technology that has started to be used by the people in Rwanda, and it shows that the people were having difficulty finding fuel at the moment they are going to find the technology they will use to cook using solar energy. 

Some of the residents of Kayonza district in the Eastern province are among the 20 families that were tested for the first time, all of them confirm that they are happy because they have been using this new and modern appliance for at least four months to turn on electricity and cook meals. It's something they believe has now changed their lives dramatically. 

Barihafi Augustin, a 45-year-old man from Kabeza village, Rubimba cell, Kabare sector in Kayonza district said that from where they used to cook before and now, it was very difficult to find fuel but now this technology has made a huge difference.

"Before we used to cook with wood and those who were lucky enough to find it, there were agricultural residues that we used to collect from the fields and you understand that it was a difficult thing compared to the technology where we are located, but after that other method came, it became easier," Barihafi said.

He also said that the lack of fuel used to hinder the work of parents and the school attendance of children due to spending a lot of time going to find fuel but now it has been resolved.

"You prepare your work and count the meals in a few minutes and the children go to school and the parents go to work. We thank everyone who participated in this program, and they worked very hard." Barihafi added.

Nyirakimonyo Costasie, who lives in Bara village, Ruhimba cell, Kabare sector in Kayonza district, said that this technology has changed her life and lifestyle in general. He also said it got rid of the sickness caused by the smoke.

"I am a good cook. I have a stove for cooking beans, a stove for cooking vegetables, and a stove for heating water for almost everything. Now I can sit down and not be bothered by smoke. I am a woman who can be seen. I am no longer going to the hospital to have my eyes treated."Nyirakimonyo Said.

It is a study called "Solar Energy Transition" that aims to solve the fuel problem faced by the people in Rwanda by switching from burning firewood to using solar energy.

Kibukayire Esperance, who lives in Rugarama village, Kinzovu cell, Kabarondo sector, Kayonza district, confirms that this research has brought significant changes in cooking and solving the problem of cooking firewood.

"The best thing about it is that first thing is that it cooks quickly, and the second thing that I have seen is that the food cooked with this technology is tastier than the other ones that are on the stove. The food is without the smoke in it.  when you set it well, it can cook beans quickly. It cooks very well. It takes less time and does more, '' Kibukayire Said.

Esperance asserts that this technology has also brought them unique smartness.

"We became smart so now I live with one other person but I can tell you that  I can come around 2:00 Am from a long trip, it doesn't stop me from cooking, I come and plug in my stove and go to the other small activities in the house, it only takes 15 minutes to finish cooking.” Kibukayire Said.

Head of business Development in the Research Department of REG Habyarimana Cyprien, who was the representative of the group that worked on behalf of REG, says that the research started in August 2023, and the study is ending, which brings hope and confidence that it is possible to use this solar energy electricity at a rate of 100 %.

‘’The realization and the results are really amazing, people have cooked by also using the solar energy transition by one the time they have been using in collecting firewood has gone down, the air quality is really very good because there is not these kind of disease from the smoke have gone down. Also, the neighboring households came and asked them to come and cook for them, it was really and really amazing. This research has brought in impact and hope to the households. The intention has been achieved 100% because we have realized that it is very easy, and also it is possible to cook by using solar energy,’’ Habyarimana explained.

Director of Research in Rwanda Energy Group REG Janvier Kabananiye, said that the initial findings indicate a positive reception of the new technology, with users initially combining firewood and solar methods. However, as familiarity with the solar cooking system increased, the time spent using pressure cookers and induction hubs rose significantly.

‘’Notable benefits included improved air quality in kitchens, reduced time spent collecting firewood, and increased participation of men in cooking activities. Despite these advantages, the high cost of acquiring solar cooking systems remains a barrier. The next stage of research will focus on developing a financing model to make these systems more accessible to the public. REG urges stakeholders to support this initiative, as the benefits ‘both environmental and health-related have been clearly demonstrated,’’ Kabananiye said.

REG says that while this project will continue, Rwandans are requested to participate in using this method because the government in collaboration with other agencies has done everything possible to change the lives of Rwandans.

The total cost of the research was £81,500 disbursed by REG in cooperation with Innovate UK to conduct the research, and the equipment used was provided by Mesh Power company and the system used to obtain electricity from solar radiation.