By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, April 18, Mana: Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola Wednesday applauded Energy Access through Social Enterprise (EASE) project for bridging energy gap in the country.

He said this in Balaka during Balaka and Dedza District Energy Officers learning event which attracted various officers from the two councils.

Matola said that, “As government, we appreciate the project and encouraging different stakeholders to work together in order to support every community in the country to access electricity.”

The Minister called upon all actors in energy sector to coordinate and partner describing them as important in the country.

“One African proverb says ‘If you want to go faster go alone, but if you want to go further, move with others, that is the whole essence why partnership is very important,” he added.

An official from University of Strathclyde in Scotland, Danien Frame described EASE Project as crucial and appreciated level of engagement from the government, Ministry of Energy, District Energy officers and Community Energy Malawi for making sure that communities are able to access electricity renewable energy through cook stoves and Solar energy.

“To see the level of engagement from both government and all players including the community is encouraging, as communities have embraced the use of the potable solar products, renewable energy and many more,” he said.

Founder and Country Director for Community Energy Malawi, Edgar Bayani said through the EASE project they have been able to demonstrate the role of renewables in meeting energy needs of the communities.

“Within this angle, we managed to develop a solar energy hub at Njobvuyalema Village in Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Chakanza specifically to power cold storage as well as irrigation farming among the communities,” he pointed out.

According to Njobvuyalema, since the installation of the energy hub, there has been an increase of people accessing clean electricity in both Balaka and Dedza districts and about 12 households, business places and learners are easily accessing the electricity.

The EASE project which is being done in Balaka and Dedza districts started in 2019 with the vision of Affordable and Sustainable Energy for Malawian communities and is being implemented by Community Energy Malawi in partnership with the University of Strathclyde Engineering, Self Help Africa and WASHTED with support from the Scottish Government.