Grand Challenge Malawi - Development of Renewable Energy Technologies (RET)

Today, the world is in the midst of a global energy crisis, with impacts that will be felt for years to come. The Government of Malawi acknowledges low access to clean and affordable energy and low energy production to meet the national demand for energy. The Government is increasingly considering renewable energy alternatives in order to support its development agenda, provide energy security, diversify its energy sources, and provide employment and income-generating possibilities to its expanding population. The RFP is in line with the National Research Agenda (NRA, 2023) for the Malawi 2063 first 10-year implementation plan (MIP-I) which amongst others has identified sustainable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy and local manufacturing of energy materials as some of the research and development areas to be promoted. The feasibility study conducted by the NCST with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed the feasibility of the Malawian RE sub-sector to develop renewable energy technologies. A series of recommendations were made to the Government to support industrialization through research and development in the Renewable energy sub-sector (NCST, 2020). This RFP is a response to the energy challenge to create innovations that will reverse the negative trends and improve energy supply and energy security. More Details