The Enugu State Government has designed and produced an innovative green energy cooking stove aimed at tackling deforestation and safeguarding ecosystems across Nigeria and the African continent. The locally developed technology also promotes safe, clean cooking practices—marking a significant step toward energy sustainability and environmental protection.
The stove, branded “Enugu Stove,” is made entirely from local content and uses a smokeless and odourless coal briquette to generate heat. The initiative is part of the state’s broader plan to address ecological challenges while offering a safer, affordable cooking alternative.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Engr. Dr. Lawrence Eze, described the stove as an innovative solution developed in collaboration with the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI).
He said the stove stands out for its human and environmental safety features, especially in comparison to gas and kerosene stoves, which are common sources of home accidents in Nigeria.
“With the stove, days of gas explosion and explosion from adulterated kerosene use in kerosene-stoves at homes and eateries are gone,” Eze said.
“Sometimes, if there are no fatalities, the degrees of body burns from such explosions are unimaginable; and this is the principal thing the stove is meant to solve.”
Eze explained that the Enugu Stove operates using a two-chamber system. The burning chamber, where the coal briquette is heated, is insulated from the outer chamber, ensuring that the external body of the stove remains cool even during use.
“It is odourless and does not transmit smoke unlike a kerosene stove because it has two components, the inner component and the outer component,” he said.
“It is the inner component that retains the heat. It is just like a flask.
There is a well-insulated vacuum between the inner component (or chamber) and the outer component (or chamber). So the void (well-insulated area) between the two makes it difficult for heat to be transmitted.
While the coal briquette is heating up and boiling water or items being cooked; you can hug or touch the outer component (chamber) and it is still as cool as possible.”
Eze added that the stove provides a safer, more efficient way to cook and that its heat distribution mimics that of an electric stove.
“The energy produced burns in a gentle manner like one is using an electric stove and you only notice the boiling and cooked item producing steam,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the Enugu Stove will be produced in three sizes to serve different user needs: student, family, and commercial/eatery sizes. Each model is designed to minimize heat loss, reducing the heating of the surrounding environment during cooking.
On the economic side, Eze emphasized the stove’s cost-effectiveness.
“On economic value, it is the most economical source of energy and fuel for cooking. It is cheaper than gas and kerosene; while electricity is a no-go area due to its cost for now,” he said.
He noted that the coal briquettes used in the stove are derived from purified and dehydro-carbonised coal, which Enugu State has in abundance.
“God has blessed Enugu State with an enormous and abundant quantity of coal, which is largely untapped,” he said.
Eze confirmed that the Enugu State Government has formally applied to the Federal Government for mining rights to extract and utilize the state’s coal resources. He added that this aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to establish a sustainable energy mix and protect the environment.
“This is why His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, has set up the Ministry of Energy and Solid Minerals to see to this and give the state a sustainable energy mix meant to ensure a green environment and ecological protection,” he said.
He revealed that the government plans to establish four coal briquette production factories, one in each senatorial zone, to ensure widespread access to the fuel. His ministry will coordinate with the new Ministry of Energy and Solid Minerals to provide the raw coal at a reasonable cost to these factories.
“It will definitely stop the radical falling of trees in our communities; environmental hazard of production of charcoal; and protect our vegetation, forest and ecosystem in general,” Eze added.
With the Enugu Stove, the state is not only advancing a safer cooking technology but is also championing a model of sustainable resource utilization. This initiative promises to reduce the environmental footprint of cooking in Nigerian homes and small businesses, offering an affordable alternative that could help shift Africa’s energy landscape.
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