Malawi committed to renewable forms of energy

Malawi Government says it is committed to increasing the country’s reliance on cleaner and greener forms of energy that are environmental friendly.

Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, made these remarks on Monday during the handover ceremony where he received a Solar Power Plant on behalf of Malawi Government from the Japanese government at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe.

The solar power plant, which is located in KIA premises, is expected to generate 830 kilowatts of electricity which will be used to complement the existing energy supply at the airport.

Matola said the solar plant demonstrates government’s commitment to diversification of energy sources.

Matola: Renewable energy
Matola: Renewable energy

“By using clean and renewable energy we can reduce the amount of carbon emissions as well as mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Matola.

He further said that the electricity generation projects such as this one and others to come are timely and responsive to the needs of the country.

“During the peak demands there is low power supply of almost 50 megawatts,” he said.

Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, Fujio Samukawa said the solar power plant is the first of its kind in Malawi and it would be connected to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) grid system.

“The surplus energy will then be added to the ESCOM national grid system to be accessed by other consumers,” he said.

He further explained that not only will the solar power system provide clean energy, but also enable the airport to cut down on its costs on power from ESCOM.

Samukawa said in 2010, Malawi and Japan exchanged notes for the implementation of the project for introduction of clean energy by solar electricity generation system to the Republic of Malawi.

“The project was aimed at promoting clean energy development, disseminating the use of the solar power system and reinforcing safely for air transport system,” said Samukawa.

He further said that the grant amounted to US$8.3 million dollars which was distributed under Japan’s Grant Aid Program for Environment and Climate Change was.

Matola urged the benefiting institutions to properly look after the solar power plant and to ensure that there is tight security in order to avoid vandalism.

“Even the loss of one part can render the entire system non-functional,” he warned.

 

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