Universities, government and the private sector are stepping up efforts to tackle the country’s chronic energy challenges through locally developed renewable technologies.
At a regional meeting in Lilongwe last week, researchers and policymakers showcased innovations aimed at reducing dependence on biomass and easing pressure on the national grid.
The meeting, hosted under the Africa-Norway Energy Technology Network, brought together universities from Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania and Norway. It focused on scaling up affordable technologies for clean cooking and off-grid electrification.
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ishmael Kosamu, who coordinates the network, said “the technologies presented could help solve some of Malawi’s most pressing household and institutional energy problems”.
Professor Ole Jørgen Nydal from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology said they have developed small-scale technologies that can store energy during the day for cooking at night and are ready for piloting in Malawi after successful trials in Uganda.
Green Impact Technologies managing director Admore Chiumia said financing remains the biggest barrier to growth.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining deputy director for off-grid electrification Saidi Banda said government is working to create an environment that allows such technologies to thrive.
