Minister advocates for renewable energy technologies
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has urged players in the energy sector to continue advocating for the use of renewable energy technologies to end energy challenges in the country.
The minister said this on Tuesday in Mangochi during the National Energy Conference organised by the Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi (Reiama).
Matola said it is high time the country adopted modern renewable energy technologies such as the sun as the primary source of energy to help address electricity challenges.
“Other sources of energy are too political and are surrounded by security issues. But the sun is the best alternative source of energy,” he said.
Matola said it is high time the country enhanced use of clean energy such as solar.
“In Malawi, we don’t experience bad weather or severe winter, so we can produce a lof of solar energy which can be fed into the national grid,” he said.
In his remarks, Reiama president Soustain Chigalu said this year’s conference sought to engage different stakeholders, including the government through the Ministry of Energy to find solutions to the current energy challenges the country is facing.
He said: “Generation of electricity in Malawi is small and we need to find quick solutions to generate more power to supply to the country.
“By 2030, we want everyone in Malawi to have access to electricity and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi must do its part, Reiama must also do its part, Electricity Generation Company must do its part and independent power producers must also do their part.”
Chigalu said one key factor holding back energy progress in the country is vandalism of energy infrastructure such as transformers and cables.
He said there is need to empower young innovators who have ability of making renewable energy available to many.
The conference comes at a time the country is facing prolong electricity blackouts due to the damage of Kapichira Hydro Power by Tropical Storm Ana in January this year, which knocked off about 130 megawatts from the national power grid.
The 2022 National Energy Conference was held under the theme: ‘Energy: Catalyst for sustainable development’.
