By Tabbu Kauye

Lilongwe, June 20, Mana: Government has access to reliable and affordable energy remains a significant obstacle for many Malawians.

Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola said this Thursday in Lilongwe at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) during Energy Conference which has drawn stakeholders from the energy sector and among other issues, they will address and discuss issues of universal access to sustainable energy and pressing global challenges related to sustainable and clean energy.

He said the conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders to highlight their effort share innovative solutions and unlock financing opportunities essential for enhancing the energy access programmes.

"By bringing together Government entities, Development Partners, Financial Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Private Sector, we aim to create a holistic and integrated approach for resolving our energy challenges," Matola noted.

The Minister said provision of reliable and affordable energy to Malawians as evidenced by the recent   Malawi Energy Access Survey.

According to Matola, the Survey showed that only 25.8 percent of Malawians have access to electricity, where many are concentrated in urban areas.

Matola said, “We are committed to diversifying our energy mix. Currently, the majority of our energy is derived from hydropower, leaving us vulnerable to climatic variations and rainfall patterns. Our strategic approach involves exploring alternative renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass to enhance our energy security and mitigate environmental impacts."

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GeAP Country Lead, Collen Zalengera said GeAP was committed to collaborating with government, private sector and other partner’s efforts to a movement of achieving sustainable energy for all.

The Conference brought together energy experts, policymakers, researchers, NGOs and other partners.

The two-day conference started on June 20 to 21, 2024.