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Malawi |
ECOLOGY
Malawi is one of those countries in the developing world facing acute environmental degradation, due to a fast growing population and heavy reliance on vegetation as a major source of energy
The rate of deforestation in Malawi is said to be more than 40,000 square hectares of forest per year, prompting stakeholders in the environmental sector to look for alternative energy sources.
The alternative is none other than solar energy. The country has abundant sunshine for most of the year, and the environmental authorities are encouraging the citizens to turn to solar technology.
Solar energy is cost-effective and is deemed to improve the lives of the rural poor majority because of its cheap cost and sustainability. It could also improve village-based businesses. Solar energy can be used in providing power for light, heat, telecommunications, and can work in schools, homes, shops as well as health institutions. Proponents who mostly target the rural sector for the project, say it’s one way of facilitating the government’s poverty reduction programmes.
The way things are, it’s Malawi’s State-run parastatal — the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) — which is the sole power and energy provider. It is due to be privatised, but due to technological limitations, ESCOM has not been able to extend its grid system to most parts of the country.
Good news
But there is good news. On 5 March this year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched Malawi’s Barrier Removal to Renewable Energy Project, under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) at a ceremony which took place in Blantyre. The project will enjoy an initial US $3.5 million funding from the UNDP agency, which in 1999 also supported the launch of the National Sustainable Renewable Energy Programme (NSREP).
Ms Zahra Nuru, UNDP‘s Resident Representative to Malawi, spoke of the importance of the project in checking the environmental destruction. The project will also improve the lives of the rural poor in the absence of electricity.
Truth to say, experts are concerned about Malawi’s poor energy standing. The country’s energy balance is heavily skewed towards using wood as a fuel. About 90% of the country’s population of 12 million people depends on wood fuel for their thermo-services, while paraffin and candles are used for lighting. Only 4% of the population has access to electricity, and of this, less than 1% resides in the rural areas. On the other hand, 30% of the urban population has access to electricity. The Government says this is not a healthy situation, bearing in mind that the average access rate to electricity in the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) is at 29%.
Problems
Malawi is currently formulating an energy framework law and associated legislation, including the Rural Electrification Act, though the NSREP has identified a number of barriers that hinder the proliferation of renewable energy technologies. These barriers include:
- Lack of a comprehensive energy policy in general and renewable energy policy in particular.
- Poor energy governance, instruments and structures and where they do exist, renewable energy has never been a player.
- A lack of trained technicians with skills to install and maintain renewable energy technology.
- A lack of dedicated financing mechanisms for renewable energy industries.
- A lack of standards and code of practice for industries to follow, in order to have quality installations and maintenance arrangements.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs has commented on the present situation: «Against such a background, it is not surprising to note that about 50% of all renewable energy technology installations which were installed in the past, are not working, hence the need to put in place a number of measures to ensure the removal of the barriers.»
Measures being taken
- The removal of duty and surtax on all renewable energy technology.
- The Government has negotiated with the Malawi Savings Bank and the Commercial Bank of Malawi so that these financial institutions can offer loans to companies or individuals to acquire the necessary technology.
- The Government has set targets for the energy sector so that by the year 2010 — 10%, and by 2020 — 30% of Malawi’s population will have access to electricity.
The Environment Minister, Harry Thomson, presents the challenge, thus: «Unless we can provide the people with alternative livelihood strategies in time of need, they will still subsist from natural resources. The environment must be treated as an economic good and we must seek to add value to it».
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