OFF-GRID ENERGY IN MALAWI

Presented at

Off-Grid Village Energy in East Africa Workshop, Kigali, Rwanda, 8th September, 2015

Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Joseph Kalowekamo

Malawi`s population is estimated at 15 million,

with an estimated growth rate of 2.8%

Access rate is very low i.e. 9.8% of the

population overall with less than 2% of the rural

population

About 85% of the population leaves in rural

areas

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION CONT…

About 85% of the total energy supply is in form of traditional biomass energy

This is resulting in environmental degradation and deforestation which in turn is adversely affecting hydro power generation

Women are walking long distances & spending a lot of productive time fetching firewood

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GoM has prioritized energy generation and supply as one of the priority areas in order to stimulate economic growth

GoM is implementing MAREP to increase access to electricity in peri-urban and rural areas to transform rural economies and contribute towards poverty reduction

MAREP uses grid and off-grid options

Off-grid ideal for sites that are far from the national grid

INTRODUCTION CONT…

GoM is promoting off-grid energy solutions in

areas that are far from the national grid

There are a number of stand alone solar PV

systems installed in rural areas by GoM, NGOs,

households etc

Clean and efficient cookstoves are also being

promoted in off-grid communities

CURRENT ISSUES ON OFF-GRID ENERGY

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES IN MALAWI

Hydro power potential is estimated at 1,280 MW

2,640 sunlight hours in a year with annual average insolation levels in the range of 5.21 to 5.79 kWh/m2/year

Wind energy resources with measured annual average wind speeds of 3.8 to 4.0 m/s at 10m heights

24.11 million m3/year of wood and 6.12 million m3/year of crop residues and 50,000 m3/year of animal dung

Hot springs with geothermal power generation potential

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PAST INITIATIVES ON OFF-GRID ENERGY

DoEA’s solar-wind

hybrid systems

(6)

MEGA (Bondo

MHPP – 73 KW)

BARREM

JICA

PAESP

NSREP

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ELECTRICITY ACCESS AND RE SHARE (2014)

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0 5 10 15 20

Renewable energy share

Electricity access

% Target Achievement

Institutional

Information

Financial

Social & cultural

Proliferation of sub-standards products

Lack of ownership of systems installed by, eg.

GoM

Lack of incentives on renewabless

Lack of Renewable Energy strategy

CHALLENGES

CURRENT INITIATIVES ON OFF-GRID ENERGY

MAREP, ESSP & SEM by Department of Energy Affairs

DoEA/UNDP/GEF (promotions of clean energy Mini-grids)

MREAP

MCC/MCA-M

PRC

JICA

MEGA/DoEA/UNDP/GEF/SG

Duty waiver

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ACTIONS REQUIRED

Supportive policy & regulatory framework

Good business & financial models

Information sharing/public awareness

Technical & financial support from international

community

Concerted effort by public, private, NGOs &

civil society organizations.

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Thanks for your listening 12