How One Of The World’s Least Electrified Nations Is Turning On The Lights

A little over a quarter of Malawi can turn on the lights, World Bank data reveals, amid a billion-dollar wave of projects.  

Through a mix of hydro and renewables, the country of nearly 23 million people currently generates 566 megawatts (MW) of power, Malawi’s Minister of Energy, Jean Mathanga, tells FORBES AFRICA, before confirming the country’s ambition of doubling output by 2030. 

The over $1.5 billion Mpatamanga Hydro project, scheduled to be fully operational by 2032, is expected to add 358.5 MW to the national grid. Regarding the more immediate future, a dose of solar is on the cards as the Salima Solar Power Project enters phase two. 

Initially commissioned two months ago, the minister assures they are “embarking” on a 40 MW upgrade following a positive 10 MW pilot. Further charging this momentum was the opening of Malawi’s first standalone utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Kanengo Substation in July. 

The 20 MW storage system has plugged a critical void, enabling the Kanengo facility to operate around the clock following years of planned daily shutdowns to prevent the grid from overloading during peak daylight hours. 

“It was generating power, but that was only available in the afternoon,” Mathanga says of the substation pre-BESS. “Now, we’re able to collect, store and release energy during peak hours.” 

Cross-border energy infrastructure has become a catalyst for diplomacy across Africa, and Malawi is keen to deepen its energy mix through such collaboration. While an interconnector with Zambia is underway, it will soon benefit from the 218-kilometer Mozambique-Malawi Power Interconnector.  

“Our connector with Mozambique is done…what’s remaining is a formal commissioning,” Mathanga mentions.  

Once linked to neighboring countries, they will be able to slot into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), providing more energy insurance and, potentially, a fresh export stream.  

“We want to see Malawi in a position where it can easily access power from its neighbors. But not only that, we know they’re doing a lot of renewable energy projects, and they should have the opportunity to sell that,” says SAPP’s Executive Director Stephen Dihwa, on the sidelines of Africa Energy Week–which took place in Cape Town from October 12-16–to FORBES AFRICA. 

Asked about a SAPP inclusion, Mathanga shares that Malawi is in the final stages: “What’s remaining is a payment for the subscription…we should be registered shortly.” 

Dihwa hails Malawi’s energy progress as “exciting”, noting that a feasibility study for a Malawi-Tanzania interconnector is ongoing. This could not only add another potential customer for Malawian energy, but also solidify it as the glue between the SAPP and Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP).