Minister encourages alternative power sources

Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has encouraged Malawians to use alternative sources of energy apart from relying on the national grid.

He made the remarks on Wednesday when he toured a solar mini-grid project site at Sitolo in Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji District.

Matola said people cannot only rely on power generated by Escom.

“My ministry developed a policy of having independent power producers because if we depend only on the national grid, it is difficult to reach out to the masses,” he said.

He commended UNDP and Global Environment Facility (GEF) for funding the project which he said is complementing government efforts of ensuring that rural areas have power for home use.

Community Projects Malawi country director Edgar Kapiza-Bayani said the solar mini-grid has changed people’s lives in Sitolo, Molosiyo and Ndawambe villages.

He said the coming in of solar energy has opened up economic opportunities for the people.

“We conducted a social impact assessment in February and March this year and we found that the project has catalysed close to 36 new businesses,” said Kapiza-Bayani.

In an interview, a beneficiary Chikondi Lingole said the coming in of solar energy in Sitolo Village has helped him install a sunflower expeller.

“This has given me the opportunity to start the business of producing cooking oil. This has also created jobs for the youth,” he said.

Some of the businesses that are now up and running in Sitolo Village include salons,

 barbershops and grocery stores.

The solar power plant generates over 80 kilowatts and serves 726 connections benefitting about 6 000 people in Sitolo, Ndawambe and Molosiyo villages