Energy
Sunshine to power Malawi homes and industries
November 11, 2020 / Noel Mkwaila
Persistent power blackouts due to Malawi’s insufficient electricity supply, has compelled government to diversify energy sources from hydro-power to include solar, wind energy, coal fired energy sources and the power interconnection to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Currently, Malawi generates about 250MW of hydro power while the suppressed demand is 351MW. The unmet electricity need does not account for the majority of Malawians who are not yet connected to the electricity grid.
53 per cent of Malawi’s population live below the poverty line and just 10 percent of the country is connected to the national grid with heavy load shedding schedules.
Intermittent power supply has significantly reduced the country’s industrial production rate.
According to Saidi Banda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, several companies are set to start complimenting the hydro power supply by producing and supplying solar energy across the country.
“JCM is currently planting equipment in Salima and will serve the country with almost 70 megawatts of solar energy,” says Banda adding that another company is setting up operations in Nkhotakota while others who have also signed power purchase agreements with government will be rolling out in other areas soon.
Meanwhile, EGENCO, a body assigned to be producing electricity in the country, has recently switched on solar energy to power Likoma and Chizumulu Islands on Lake Malawi.
According to the 2019 World Bank report, Malawi has abundant untapped solar potential, with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Comments
Mining & Trade Review News
Agribusiness News
Subscribe to Newsletter
Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
Archives
Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
Stakeholders Logos
