WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

the district of Mulanje. The Agency is constructing a 75-
kW micro hydropower plant at the Lichenya River, in the
Mulanje district. Construction is in its final phase. 9
SHP installed capacity
5.8 MW
SHP potential
15 MW
0 5 10 15 20 25
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Malawi
Source: Kaunda 7 , Government of Malawi 10
A small hydropower feasibility study determined that
Mulunguzi has a power potential of 2 MW. The study
was carried out with the assistance from the German
Government. In addition, the Malawi Industrial
Research and Technology Training Centre have also
been researching on small hydropower in the country.
Renewable energy policy
The Department of Energy Affairs in 1999 established
the National Sustainable and Renewable Energy
Programme (NSREP) as a platform to promote
renewable energy technology. The main project under
NSREP is the Promotion of Alternative Energy Sources
Project (PAESP) which is, however, limited by a lack of
funding resources. 6
The Government of Malawi has recently made strides
towards a more pragmatic approach to the energy
sector. This resulted in the realization of the Malawi
Biomass Energy Strategy (BEST) of 2009. The BEST
report states the need to make the bio energy sector
more sustainable through incentives for alternative
means i.e. green energy. The 2003 National Energy
Policy of Malawi, the Malawi Energy Regulation Act
(2004) and other legal instruments have given way to a
freer market for electricity generation and distribution
by removing monopoly previously held by ESCOM. 6
Energy regulation in Malawi is controlled by the
Government-establish Energy Regulatory Authority
(MERA) in 2004. However, the MERA is to be
superseded by the Malawi Water Energy Regulatory
Authority (MWERA). 6
Legislation on small hydropower
Malawi National Energy Policy (2003) has been the
cornerstone of renewable energy in the country. 11 Other
Renewable Energy Sources Industry Strategy has been
based on the aforementioned policy, encompassing the
promotion of renewable energy sources in Malawi,
including small hydropower.
Barriers to small hydropower development
Hydropower is the major source of power for Malawi.
However, it is being affected by environmental
degradation due to farming activities in upstream rivers,
as well as by deforestation due to firewood and charcoal
production. Moreover, climate change has a significant
impact on small hydropower resources as rivers
continue to dry up. The need to update inventories on
micro hydropower such as that produced by the Japan
International Cooperation Agency is required to track
the changes of environmental degradation on small
hydropower potential.
The major barrier for small hydropower development in
Malawi is the limited financial capacity. There are no
private investors interested in the development of small
hydropower stations in Malawi. The donors are also not
forthcoming for the utilization of small hydropower to
benefit local communities. To help overcome these
barriers, the Government intends to conduct feasibility
studies on a number of rivers using its own funds, and
later make available the information to potential
investors of small hydropower as an independent power
producer.
References
1. Central Intelligence Agency (2012). The World
Factbook. Available from
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/.
2. Malawi, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and
Environment (n.d.). Climate of Malawi. Lilongwe.
3. The Icelandic International Development Agency
(2012). Vision and Procedures 2012-2014. Reykjavík.
Available from www.iceida.is/media/pdf/Vision-and-
Procedures-2012-2014.pdf.
4. Chinangwa, R. (2012). Malawi electricity blackout may
end soon: Nkula B plan to be upgraded. Nyasa Times,
26 September.
5. Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (2012).
Measures taken to mitigate generation problems and
capacity constraints. Available from www.escom.mw/.
Accessed December 2012.
6. Malawi, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and
Environment (2010). Malawi State of Environment and
Outlook Report. Environment for Sustainable Growth.
Lilongwe.
7. Kaunda, Chiyembekezo S. (2011). Energy situation,
potential and application status of small-scale systems
in Malawi. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, vol. 26, October, pp. 1-19.
8. Japan International Cooperation Agency (2003).
Master Plan Study on Rural Electrification in Malawi:
Final Report: Technical Background Report. Tokyo
Electric Power Services Company.
9. Malawi, Department of Energy Affairs. Lilongwe.
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