Tag Archives: Community Energy Malawi (CEM)

Development, Malawi

UNDP Africa Director Eziakonwa satisfied with Sitolo Solar Mini-Grid’s impact on Malawi locals

Lloyd M’bwana

MCHINJI-(MaraviPopst)-The visiting UN Assistant-Secretary General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa has expressed satisfaction over the Solar Mini-Grid impact on Malawi locals’s livelihoods.

Eziakonwa says developing nations including Malawi need a robust investment in the energy sector towards attaining the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals’ pillar.

The UNDP African director made remarks on Monday, March 4, 2024, after touring the Sitolo Solar Mini-Grid in Mchinji where solar electricity is powering maize mills and enabling local people to open up various businesses.

Eziakonwa who arrived on Sunday in Malawi for a four-day visit, appreciated the 80-kilowatt solar mini-grid at Sitolo Village in Traditional Authority (T.A) Ndawambe in Mchinji.

Ezikonwa added that the economic dimension covers some sectors including efficient use of energy and constant access to sufficient energy.

“I’m impressed with the solar-min-grid has changed locals lives. These are practical projects that need to be embraced towards attaining SDG in developing nations like Malawi,” says Eziakonwa.

The mini-grid generates power via solar and connects 816 customers, including houses as well as 94 businesses and social institutions such as schools and health facilities at Sitolo, Ndawambe, and Molosiyo villages.

Electricity from the mini-grid has enabled people in the villages to open up businesses including maize mills, salons, and shops that sell cold drinks.

With electricity, people are also able to cook using electric stoves while learners study even during the night.

One of the beneficiaries Lucy Mbawo lauds the initiative, “Since I started benefiting from solar power electricity in 2021, our lives aren’t the same as we were years before. With power, we can watch TV, and lights on for children to study at night”.

Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mchinji South West, Deus Gumba Banda who is also Lands Minister was happy seeing UNDP African Chief leaving his constituency happily on the project he advocated for.

Accompanying the UNDP envoy, Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola lauded also development partners including UNDP for the initiative that has transformed locals’ livelihoods.

Matola said the UNDP and Malawi government funded the project to uplift people’s livelihoods in many sectors.

The Sitolo 80kW Solar Mini-grid was jointly deployed by Community Energy Malawi (CEM) and Community Energy Scotland (CES) with US$750,000 from UNDP.

About 3, 425 locals have been benefiting from the initiative since 2019.

Environment, Malawi

CEM’s Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe project ignites gas usage in urban dwellers

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The beneficiaries of Community Energy Malawi (CEM)’s Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe Project are happy with the use of LPG cylinders for gas cooking.

CEM has been implementing a seven month project from November 2022 to May 2023, targeting urban and rural dwellers of Zomba and Lilongwe district councils.

In the project, CEM with funding United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sources LPG cylinders from 265 Energy at subsidized fees and promotion for beneficiaries.

According to the project concept paper, beneficiaries contribute little fees to acquire the LPG cylinders for sustainability of the initiative.

During distribution exercise on Friday, May 19, 2023 in the capital Lilongwe, one of the project beneficiaries, Rose Gondwe of Area 18 lauded gas cooking compared to electricity saying its cost effective.

Gondwe told The Maravi Post that gas cooking is also manageable on its usages compared to electricity.

“MK17,500 for gas cylinder takes long time while the same money for electricity can’t even last a month. This gives an indication that gas cooking is cost effective than electricity.

“On gas cooking fears, I can assure everyone that its friendly and manageable than the way I used to hear from other quarters,” lauds Gondwe.

CEM Advocacy and Communication Manager Wonderful Mkhutche said gas cooking is picking up in the country giving hope that the war against environmental degradation may be over soon.

Mkhutche added that the number urban dwellers are adopting gas as a source of energy for cooking has been rising since the launch of Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe Project.

“For Example, on Thursday 18th May 2023 we were at Nsungwi in Area 25 for a promotion and we sold over 100 gas cookers against our target of 70 so its a good signal. Even rural dwellers are showing big interest, a thing we least expected,” he said.

The gas cookers are supplied by 265 Energy which is also responsible for training users in the project.

265 Energy Project Manager Taalumba Masambo said beneficiaries of the project are mastering the safety of using gas hence the increasing demand.

“Before, people had fears about using gas but after a number of trainings which we have conducted, we have seen a growing interest in Malawians,” he said.

CEM leads the project by implementing distribution plans, and ensuring the efficient utilisation of resources with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

About 2, 700 beneficiaries are being targeted in the pilot phase of the project that 1, 000 are to receive Chitetezo mbaula while 1 700 urban dwellers are earmarked for gas cookers.