By Brenda Kayo:
Vice President Michael Usi has said 70 percent of Malawians do not have access to clean energy, a situation he rated as a threat to the attainment of the Sustainable Development goals.
He has since called for collective efforts to address the country’s clean energy shortage.
Usi was speaking on Thursday during the 2024 Renewable Energy Conference organised by the Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi (Reiama)
He added that stakeholders should use the conference as an opportunity to explore innovative solutions to the problem at hand.
“Energy is the heartbeat of our economy. We must work together to find lasting solutions and transform Malawi’s energy landscape,”Usi said.
Reiama President Brave Mhone said there is a need for a review of the policy guiding the energy sector.
“The policy that is being used is outdated.
That is why we are facing some of these challenges, if we can review our policy, we are sure we will see some change,” Mhone said.
In his remarks, Secretary for Energy Engineer Alfonso Chikuni acknowledged that the country is still facing challenges in the energy sector, saying only 25 percent of Malawians are able to access electricity.
He said with coordinated efforts, Malawi can attain its goal to reach out to 50 percent of people that are not electrified, especially in rural areas.
The conference is expected to run to Friday and is being held under the theme “leveraging energy for social economic transformation,” he said.
