South Africa
Stoves: Zoom Stove, Zoom Dura, Zoom Versa
Project Type: Commercial
Quantity of Stoves to Date: 6,354
Project Stage: Maturity
Implementing Partner: Restio Energy
Need for Cookstoves: The need for improved cookstoves in South Africa is less extreme than most other countries in Africa. Over 83% of the population has access the modern fuels for cooking (like electricity or gas); and of those relying on solid fuels for cooking 32% have access to an improved cookstove. However, toxic smoke from open fires or unimproved stoves still kills almost 6,500 people a year. The efforts of Restio Energy and other organizations in the sector can completely eradicate this problem.
Project Description: Since 2001, Restio Energy has been at the forefront of tackling energy poverty in Africa – whether through creating the necessary enabling environments, developing innovative delivery models that facilitate sustainable energy access, or practically commercializing clean energy products. Restio Energy works with different technologies, people and contexts to develop appropriate solutions for improved modern energy access.
Restio has a team of sales agents and retail locations where people can go to buy sustainable energy products like EcoZoom cookstoves and solar lights.
Unique Project Aspects: Restio was our first customer in the commercial market segment. Through low-cost distribution strategies and heavy marketing Restio has created profitable and sustainable business for sustainable energy products in South Africa.
Restio also works in partnership with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to provide Household Energy Kits to rural households in South Africa. The Household Energy Kit consists of an EcoZoom biomass rocket stove, a Barefoot Power Firefly Mobile solar light and mobile phone charger, and a Wonderbag heat-retention cooking bag. More than 1,700 Household Energy Kits have been provided.
Project Impacts:
Lives Impacted: 31,770
Hours Saved from Gathering Fuel: 3,964,896
Trees Saved: 51,379
Tons of CO2 Mitigated: 38,124
“I received the stove on Friday and made my first ‘potjie’ on the weekend. I was very impressed and kept the pot cooking for close to 2 hours with only 1 piece of wood. This thing is very efficient and easy to use. Thanks for a great product!” – D. Ferreira
“I thoroughly tested the stove with Wattle wood and it works like a dream. With charcoal it burns beautifully, economically and does not dirty the pot! I almost don’t have to look after the fire and it cooks the “potjie” without any effort. Thank you very much – this stove does not only meet my expectations, but exceeds them! – H. Haasbroek
