Geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which erupted a month ago, have pushed fuel prices upward worldwide, including in Nepal. The early days of the war saw the rush to get liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and long lines. For those who rely on them, the gas crisis resulted in a sense of déjà vu. After all, when India had imposed a four-and-a-half-month-long blockade in 2015, they had endured the worst LPG shortage in their memory. But the blockade also led many Nepalis to opt for electric cooking stoves. Now, fearing the gas crisis, even those who didn’t use induction hobs previously are buying them. As a result, unlike before, long queues for LPG are less common, particularly in urban areas where people have become accustomed to electric cooking. But the need to push for an electric transition in cooking by expanding the momentum across the country has never been more urgent.

According to the 2021 national census, among 6.6 million households, 51 percent depend on firewood for cooking, 44.3 percent on LPG, 0.5 percent on electricity and the remaining on other fuels. Many households find the upfront cost of induction, which is around Rs5,000 to Rs6,000, too high and still prefer LPG, whose monthly demand is approximately 45,000 to 46,000 tonnes. Even when they adopt electric cooking, power interruptions deter them from transitioning fully to electric stoves. They primarily rely on LPG and keep electric stoves as a side option. In the commercial sector, high electricity tariffs discourage hoteliers and restaurant owners from adopting electric cooking.

Policy-wise, too, Nepal has not been able to get its priorities right: On paper, it aims to achieve clean energy; it has set a target of 1 million electric stoves by 2030. But in practice, it signs deals to build petroleum infrastructure to increase the supply of fossil fuels. This sends mixed signals to investors and consumers alike, creating confusion about whether to continue using LPG or switch to electric options.

With many people already opting for electric stoves, they are ahead of policy. The government must now catch up. Switching to electric cooking has many advantages, as it is both clean and cheap. For instance, clean cooking can be beneficial for the health of rural women who often rely on firewood and face serious health risks. To boost its use, there could be subsidies and financial schemes. The government can coordinate with organisations and development partners already supporting this noble cause.

Likewise, rationalising electricity tariffs, particularly for high-consumption sectors such as hospitality and small industries, is just as vital. Most crucially, investment in underutilised electricity infrastructure could be increased to ensure an uninterrupted, year-round supply of electricity rather than in fossil fuel imports. Doing so would not only reduce Nepal’s dependence on India for fossil fuels. It would channel our resources towards increasing electricity production for long-term benefit.

As tensions in West Asia once again highlight the risk of relying on natural gas, there is a case to be made for Nepal to prioritise sustainable cooking solutions more aggressively. Experts warn that the situation could get worse still if the war drags on. Global oil prices could rise to $125 per barrel, leading to serious economic consequences for the developing world, including Nepal. Nepal cannot afford to simply wait and watch.