Are solar panels affordable in Malawi?

A man welding a frame to mount solar panels in Malawi. The reduced cost of solar electricity has made electricity access affordable even to low-income households.

How much electricity does Malawi have?

As per 2018 Population and Housing Census, the national electrification rate in Malawi was 10%, with 37% of the urban population and only 2% of the rural population having access to electricity. In March 2018, Malawi's installed electricity-generating capacity was 363 megawatts (487,000 hp), of which 93.3 percent was hydroelectric.

Does Malawi have hydroelectric power?

Much of the renewable hydroelectric potential of the country is untapped. As per 2018 Population and Housing Census, the national electrification rate in Malawi was 10%, with 37% of the urban population and only 2% of the rural population having access to electricity.

What is Malawi energy access project (MEAP)?

Increasing electricity access through the Malawi Energy Access Project The 2019 ambitious $100 million Malawi Energy Access Project (MEAP) aims to fast-track electrification efforts and provide electricity access to approximately 1.9 million people, constituting 9.5% of the population. So far, more than 140,000 households have been connected.

How many megawatts does Malawi have?

Total grid-connected hydropower is 351 megawatts. This is expected to increase to 369 megawatts, when the 18 megawatts Tedzani IV Hydroelectric Power Station is completed in 2020. With peak demand of 350 megawatts and growing at about 6 percent annually, the Malawian grid has very little flexibility.

Why is off-grid access important in Malawi?

For Malawi, Off-Grid access plays a very critical role in rapidly scaling up electricity access in many households that are far from the national grid and where affordability remains a challenge. The reduced cost of solar electricity has made electricity access affordable even to low-income households.