The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, has stepped up efforts to promote electric cooking in India’s commercial and institutional kitchens, highlighting its potential to improve energy efficiency, strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on LPG.
BEE organised the “Commercial Induction Cooking Showcase & Chef Challenge” in New Delhi under the theme “Accelerating India’s Electric Cooking Ambition: From Technology Demonstration to Real-World Adoption.” The event brought together policymakers, public sector enterprises, manufacturers, technology providers, chefs, hoteliers and commercial kitchen operators to explore ways to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient electric cooking solutions.
Energy security driving shift to electric cooking
Ministry of Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, who was the chief guest, said energy security is a key driver behind India’s transition towards electric cooking. He noted that global conflicts and rising LPG prices have made the shift to e-cooking both a strategic and operational choice.
Agarwal pointed to initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana as providing a strong foundation for wider adoption of electric cooking appliances.
However, he said behavioural and infrastructure-related challenges remain, including concerns among chefs and consumers about the taste of food cooked on induction systems and gaps in local distribution capacity. He identified greater awareness as a key lever for boosting demand and mainstreaming electric cooking.
BEE to create vendor directory
BEE Director General Krushna Chandra Panigrahy said the energy transition is not only about cleaner energy sources but also about using energy more efficiently. He highlighted electric cooking as a solution that combines efficiency, energy security, convenience and sustainability.
Panigrahy announced that BEE is inviting manufacturers, distributors, system integrators and solution providers to register for the Go Electric Commercial Electric Cooking Vendor Directory. The public platform is intended to help hotels, restaurants, canteens, hospitals and other institutions identify credible commercial electric cooking solution providers.
BEE is also working with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to develop a Standards & Labelling framework for commercial induction hobs.
Chef challenge demonstrates induction technology
The inaugural session was followed by a Commercial Induction Chef Challenge, in which three chefs prepared dishes using induction cooktops. The demonstration allowed participants to assess the technology’s cooking performance, ease of use, heat control and cooking time under practical conditions.
BEE said its objective is to move beyond isolated technology demonstrations and build a mature commercial e-cooking ecosystem in which users have confidence in the technology, manufacturers understand market requirements and policymakers have evidence to support wider adoption.
The event concluded with BEE reiterating its commitment to working with the Ministry of Power, CLASP, manufacturers, industry associations, public sector enterprises and commercial kitchen operators to accelerate energy-efficient electric cooking across India, in line with the vision of a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
