Fuel efficient stoves provide access to clean and affordable energy in Tsévié

Several thousands of people do not have access to clean energy in Togo. Unreliable energy supplies impose a direct cost on the country’s economy in terms of lost productive output, and can limit economic, educational and social activities.

That’s why the local population in communities in the city of Tsévié have been offered improved fuel efficient stoves that moderate firewood consumption in households as part of efforts to reduce the emission of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Mr Agbote Yawo, Deputy Coordinator of the EU funded project in Tsevie hands over fuel efficient stove to a beneficiary in Lom-nava community (Photo: Jude Fuhnwi/Tsevie)

8200 fuel efficient stoves are currently being distributed to communities in the city of Tsévié as part of the European Union (EU) funded “Promoting Energy for Development programme” supported by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide access to clean and affordable energy.

The objective of this programme is to facilitate sustainable access by the population to essential services in the commune of Tsévié and its surroundings through energy efficiency.

“These improved cooking stoves have many benefits. The traditional fireside retained heat and smoke for long in the kitchen which sometimes affected our eyes and breathing. But with the new stoves, food gets ready fast and I only use about one bundle of firewood in a week instead of one and a half,” explained Dela Wletsou, a food seller in Tsévié. Ms Wletsou is one of the recipients of the improved fuel efficient stoves.

Ms. Dela Wletsou cooking on an improved fireside installed in her home by the EU funded project in Tsevie (Photo: Jude Fuhnwi/Tsevie)

This two-year project is also installing solar panels in low-income households, solar streetlights, and providing training in the management and maintenance of these facilities among others.

“With the solar kits we do not experience power cuts and do not pay bills at the end of the month. I did not have electricity in my house before and relied on candles and kerosene lamps. I even had to rent a place with electricity for my events. But today, thanks to the mayor of Tsévié, we have this solar kit that works perfectly. I encourage other people in the community to get theirs,” said Hubert Afidenyo Yawo, one of the beneficiaries in the Lom-nava community. The Lom-nava community has also benefitted from 36 solar streetlights installed by the project.

Solar kits installed in households and schools in Tsevie (Photo: Jude Fuhnwi/Tsevie)

The project will also provide 50-seater buses to improve intercity transport between Lomé and Tsévié and facilitate the movement of Tsévié students to the University of Lomé.