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- EASE Project Brings Electricity Closer to Home in Rural Malawi
EASE Project Brings Electricity Closer to Home in Rural Malawi
Malawi-In the modern era, electricity is crucial for many small businesses and tasks such as shaving, charging phones, and preserving crops, writes Ousman Kaliati.
Malawi-In the modern era, electricity is crucial for many small businesses and tasks such as shaving, charging phones, and preserving crops, writes Ousman Kaliati.
However, over 3000 people in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Chakanza in Balaka, Malawi, have had to trek over 5 kilometres to access electricity for even the smallest tasks.
Fortunately, the Energy Access through Enterprise and Decentralization (EASE) project is now increasing access to sustainable energy for rural areas in Balaka district.
Through the project, communities are now able to access power closer to home and improve their livelihoods with ease.
Luis Yona, Balaka district Community Energy Malawi Officer, explains the motive behind the establishment of an energy hub at Mzepa Primary School.
"The hub was designed to generate electricity to power cool rooms and shops around the hub so that people can do various businesses easily. The cool room was designed to increase the shelf life of horticultural crops from Nakatale and other surrounding schemes so that farmers can sell their commodities with ease," says Yona.
Michael Chauluka, councillor for Mulunguzi Ward in the district, applauds the project's coming, saying that many people have found a living through the electricity being generated.
"There are others who are working as guards and energy managers at the hub, while many others are doing businesses and agriculture with the power being generated," discloses Chauluka.
James Uladi, a barbershop owner, says that the electricity has helped him take care of his family through his shop.
A businesswoman, Agnes Chiwanga, commends the EASE project by Community Energy Malawi, saying that it has helped improve their community with easily accessible services.
Paul Mtendere, the chairperson for Nakatale Scheme, concurs with Chiwanga, saying that their community does not face frequent power blackouts like other parts of the country.
However, Yona notes that the hub is underutilized, with the power being used only by three shops.
He explains that floods destroyed the pump during the 2021–2022 rainy season, reducing its impact even before it started serving its intended purpose.
Additionally, there is an increased number of people wanting to have power connected to their homes, putting pressure on the hub if it starts connecting households to the power grid.
Plans are underway by the EASE project to construct more shops and connect power to more social services and teachers’ houses, as donors have already approved and promised to provide funding for the expansion project.
The EASE project is being implemented by Community Energy Malawi with funding from the Scottish government.