People on Chisi Island on Lake Chilwa in Zomba District can now access electricity following the Ministry of Energy’s commissioning of a solar mini-grid, which will cater for 400 households.
Speaking during the commissioning of the mini-grid on Monday, Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola said the electricity will open up the island as people will venture into small-scale businesses to support their families.
He said the mini-grid under the Electricity Access Project is in line with government’s vision to increase both electricity generation and connectivity.
“This connectivity will enable professionals to stay here on the Island and provide quality healthcare and education services on top of the business activities which were not thriving because of lack of electricity connection,” said Matola.
He said that the World Bank has provided $245 million (about K430 billion) for the project’s second phase, which will connect thousands of people who applied for electricity from 2016.
The mini-grid was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the tune of $500 000 (about K875.5 million).
In his speech, UNDP portfolio manager Rabi Gauo expressed satisfaction with the project, which has already connected over 100 households on the Island.
“I am satisfied with the project implementation,” he said.
Zomba Chisi legislator Mark Botomani (Democratic Progressive Party) said the project has fulfilled his desire to electrify the Island.
Malawi’s electricity generation is primarily from hydropower, with the country having a total installed capacity of about 441.95 megawatts, according to Electricity Generation Company data.
