Introduction
Modern Energy Cooking Services, commonly known as MECS, is a UK Aid-funded research and innovation programme working to expand access to clean, affordable and modern cooking solutions.
The programme focuses particularly on electric cooking and other modern energy technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. It works with governments, researchers, businesses, civil society organizations and development institutions to replace polluting fuels such as firewood and charcoal with cleaner cooking alternatives.
MECS is not a private foundation, enterprise foundation or independently owned charitable donor. It is an international development programme funded by the UK government and led through institutional partnerships.
History and Background
MECS began operating in 2018 and was formally launched at Loughborough University in April 2019 as a five-year programme funded by the former UK Department for International Development, now part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The programme was created in response to the limited progress being made toward universal access to clean cooking. Its central idea was that investments in electricity, renewable energy and modern appliances could also be used to address household and institutional cooking needs.
Since its launch, MECS has expanded from research and technology testing into policy support, market development, appliance financing, institutional cooking and commercial-scale clean cooking.
Mission and Purpose
The mission of MECS is to accelerate access to clean and electric cooking.
Its work aims to:
- Reduce dependence on polluting biomass fuels.
- Improve household health and indoor air quality.
- Reduce cooking costs and fuel consumption.
- Support women who carry much of the burden of traditional cooking.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
- Encourage clean cooking businesses and local manufacturing.
- Integrate cooking into national energy and climate strategies.
The programme contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 7, particularly the target concerning universal access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. It also supports climate action, gender equality, health, economic development and poverty reduction.
Governance and Structure
MECS is led by Loughborough University in partnership with CLASP and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program.
Loughborough University manages the research programme, partnerships, competitions, procurement and technical activities. CLASP contributes expertise in appliance energy efficiency, market development and venture-led innovation, while ESMAP helps connect MECS research with World Bank energy programs and government policy.
Professor Ed Brown has been publicly identified as the programme’s research director and a senior leader in its clean cooking work.
MECS does not have conventional private ownership or shareholders. Its governance is based on university management, UK government funding requirements, institutional agreements and partnerships with international development organizations.
Funding and Grants
MECS receives its principal funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through UK Aid and the International Climate Finance portfolio.
In 2023, the UK government described MECS as having a programme budget of approximately £40.5 million. A further £15 million extension was announced at COP28, followed by a £44 million five-year extension announced at COP29 in November 2024. This latest funding extends the programme to 2030.
MECS Challenge Funds
MECS provides research grants and innovation funding through competitive, time-limited Challenge Fund calls.
Funding may support:
- Feasibility studies
- Technology research and development
- Electric cooking pilots
- Market assessments
- Appliance testing
- Business-model development
- Manufacturing and supply-chain innovation
- Household and institutional demonstrations
- Consumer research
- Clean cooking finance models
One early competition, the MECS-TRIID Challenge Fund, had a total value of £660,000 and funded 22 projects addressing specific research and innovation themes.
Other past competitions have supported electric cooking outreach, solar-powered cooking systems, cooking supply chains and appliance innovation.
MECS is therefore a research and innovation funder, but it is not a permanent general-purpose donor. Organizations must apply through specific open calls, tenders or grant competitions with defined themes, countries and eligibility requirements.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Policy and Government Support
MECS produces research and technical evidence to help governments include electric cooking in national energy, climate and development plans.
Its policy briefs provide country-level information on electricity access, cooking practices, costs, environmental benefits and opportunities for scaling electric cooking.
Cooking Diaries
Cooking Diaries is a research method developed and used by MECS to understand what people cook, how frequently they cook and how much energy different meals require.
Researchers combine household observations with energy measurements to assess whether electric pressure cookers, induction cookers and other appliances meet local cooking needs.
eCookbooks
MECS introduced eCookbooks to present the cost, time and energy required to prepare traditional foods using efficient electric appliances.
These resources help consumers, policymakers, utilities and businesses understand whether electric cooking is practical and affordable in different countries.
Global Market Assessment
The Global Market Assessment identifies countries where electric cooking has the strongest potential based on electricity access, fuel prices, cooking practices, infrastructure and market readiness.
It is supported by online tools, country factsheets and policy resources that help governments and investors identify clean cooking opportunities.
Technology and Business Innovation
Through its Challenge Funds and venture-led research and development, MECS supports entrepreneurs, manufacturers and researchers developing:
- Electric pressure cookers
- Induction cookers
- Battery-supported cooking systems
- Solar electric cooking solutions
- Institutional cooking equipment
- Pay-as-you-go business models
- Digital monitoring technologies
- Carbon-finance mechanisms
The programme works with private companies because widespread clean cooking access requires affordable appliances, reliable distribution networks and commercially sustainable business models.
Institutional Electric Cooking
MECS supports the transition from biomass cooking in schools, healthcare facilities and other institutions.
Institutional projects test large electric cooking appliances, assess electricity requirements and develop guidance for procurement, installation, staff training and maintenance.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
According to the UK government, MECS had improved access to cleaner and more efficient cooking equipment and practices for more than 3.8 million people by 2024.
The programme had also supported 273 social institutions, including schools, in transitioning toward modern cooking solutions.
MECS has provided funding and technical support to more than 200 innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and civil society partners operating across dozens of countries. Its current website reports a wider network of more than 250 partners and stakeholders.
Examples of MECS-supported work include:
- Testing electric pressure cookers in African and Asian households.
- Developing solar-powered electric cooking systems.
- Conducting electric cooking market assessments.
- Supporting clean cooking appliance manufacturers.
- Helping schools move away from firewood-based kitchens.
- Producing country policy briefs and investment tools.
- Developing carbon-finance approaches for metered cooking devices.
- Supporting small food businesses to adopt electric cooking equipment.
The programme reports benefits such as lower fuel consumption, reduced household air pollution, improved family income and greater access to efficient cooking technologies. These results are reported through MECS and UK International Climate Finance monitoring.
Conclusion
Modern Energy Cooking Services is a major international research and innovation programme promoting the transition from polluting cooking fuels to clean, affordable and modern energy solutions.
Led by Loughborough University with CLASP and the World Bank’s ESMAP, the programme combines research, government policy support, technology development, market creation and competitive grant funding.
MECS is not a conventional charitable foundation or privately owned donor. However, its Challenge Funds, research grants, tenders and innovation partnerships provide valuable funding opportunities for universities, businesses, NGOs and researchers working in clean cooking, renewable energy, climate action and sustainable development.
Its growing focus on households, schools, small businesses and appliance markets positions MECS as an important contributor to global efforts to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030.
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