Mining Minister Monica Chang’anamuno has challenged energy stakeholders to come up with solutions and not excuses to the challenges that have riddled Malawi’s energy sector.
Chang’anamuno was speaking at the start of an Energy Lab organised by the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) aimed at exploring solutions to address pressing challenges that affect the implementation of Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the power sector coordination.
Chang’anamuno’s remarks come at a time Malawi’s energy generation stands at 561 megawatts (mw) against a 2025 target of 1,000mw.
It also comes at a time, the mining sector alone, which is a key ingredient in the ATM Strategy, needs 230mw to take off.
She told energy experts that the energy sector is central to the attainment of Malawi 2063 aspirations.
“Without a robust energy sector, we cannot build the industries that will create jobs, we cannot power the hospitals and schools that will uplift our communities, and we cannot attract the investment that will drive our economy,” Chng’anamuno said.
“These Energy Lab Sessions are about finding solutions, not excuses. We are here to make sure that Malawi’s energy sector thrives and that we reach our target of Electricity for All by 2030,” she said.
The Energy Labs followed a pre-lab session last week which identified 19 challenges affecting the energy sector.
The challenges include uncertainties, around the implementation of tariffs, the application of the Automatic Tariff Adjustment Formula, impact of the country’s forex situation, delays in setting up of the rural electrification agency, procurement challenges, delays in finalizing independent power producers (IPP) framework and the absence of a concrete resource mobilization plan to finance the IRP among others.
Head of PDU, Janet Banda said energy generation and supply, as a core focus area under Enabler 6 (Economic Infrastructure) of Malawi 2063, requires innovative and sustainable solutions.
“One of our principal goals is to diversify our sources of energy, particularly by increasing the number of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) off grid and expanding our investment in renewable energy, which will help us reduce our overreliance on hydro-generated power from the Shire River.
“Our work over the next three days will focus on providing structured problem[1]solving pathways to create actionable milestones. These milestones will be key to unlocking solutions that will ensure the sustainability, affordability, and accessibility of energy for all Malawians,” she said.
She observed that the PDU is committed to providing all necessary support by working closely with the Ministry of Energy, key stakeholders, and development partners.
The three-day delivery lab which ends in Lilongwe is being held with support from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (Geapp).
Geapp Country Lead Collen Zalengela said his organisation is committed to acelerate the development of the energy sector in Malawi.
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