| Overview : Malawi is one of the least electrified countries in the SADC region, with an average per capita consumption of 85 kWh per annum – among the lowest in the world. Provision of sufficient, reliable and clean energy in Malawi is a critical challenge, as recognized by the Government. The Government of Malawi has put energy as a focus area in both the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (MDGS 2011 - 2016) and the Economic Recovery Plan (2012). The demand for electricity, by far, exceeds the installed capacity and new generation capacity is urgently needed, with the Government focused on promoting diversified sources and utilization of the country’s abundant renewable energy resources – particularly micro-hydro and solar. Under the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative, the Government has committed to ambitious 2015-2030 targets for increasing energy access and renewable energy supply. According to the SE4All 2015 global tracking framework, the growth rate of electricity access in Malawi is estimated at negative three (3) per cent against a global growth rate of 0.6 per cent. There is, therefore, a clear unmet need to respond to effective demand. Off-grid provision of electricity is one of the key strategies for increasing access to electricity, particularly in rural areas. |
