This study conducts a review of World Bank-financed operations, and selected interventions by other institutions, on household energy access in an attempt to examine success and failure factors and to inform the new generation of upcoming interventions. First, the report provides a brief literature review to lay out the multidimensional challenge of an overwhelming reliance on solid fuels for cooking and heating. Second, it highlights how the World Bank and selected
governments and organizations have dealt with this challenge. Third, it presents lessons learned to inform upcoming interventions. And finally, it provides an outlook for the future. The following eight major lessons emerged from this review: a holistic approach to household energy issues is necessary; public awareness campaigns are prerequisites for successful interventions; local participation is fundamental; consumer fuel subsidies are not a good way of helping the
poor; both market-based and public support are relevant in the commercialization of improved stoves; the needs and preferences of stove users should be given priority; durability of improved stoves is important for their successful dissemination; and with microfinance the poor can gradually afford an improved stove.