ENERGY OUTLOOK IN MULANJE Alfred Levison Fakhri Putra Nasution Location • Mulanje District is located in the Southern Region of Malawi • It boarders with Mozambique on the east and Thyolo district on the west • It has land area of 2,056 km2 ( about three time the size of Jakarta) • It’s population 684,107 (2018 data) • It’s electrification rate is 6.41% (2018 data) • It is one of the rich district in terms of natural resources. • It is well known for its green tea fields and the Mulanje Mountain which is the second tallest Inselberg Mt in Africa Source : National Planning Commission of Malawi Energy • Mulanje relies mainly on firewood and charcoal as energy sources for cooking and heating. • The energy demands in Mulanje are mainly driven by agricultural and household activities • The government of Malawi has passed a bill that criminalizes charcoal production without a license. • This is aimed at reducing deforestation and wanton cutting down of trees. • On the other hand this presents an energy crisis in areas with no alternatives yet. • Mulanje in particular since the indigenous mainly relies on firewood and charcoal. Photo credits©https://rippleafrica.org Dziwe la Nkhalamba©localguidesnetwork.com Energy Potentials- Waterfalls • Mulanje has a number of waterfalls along its Likhubula River. • Since the river runs from the Mountains peak at 9,824 feet high it has a number of promising waterfalls. • Dziwe la Nkhalamba (a dam of elders) is one of the potential sites for hydro-electricity • Mulanje has also other rivers and streams from which a mini-hydro electric plant can be implemented. Solar energy • Solar energy is particularly promising in Mulanje due to the district's high solar radiation levels • According to World Bank Malawi has high irradiation for solar energy utilization. • Mulanje district is estimated to have an annual Photovoltaic potential of about 1643kWh/kWp. • Other institutions are already utilizing solar energy in the district. E.g Mulanje Mission Hospital. • A number of locals are also integrating solar energy mostly for lighting through mini charged solar bulbs. Mulanje Mission Hospital Photo credits©skyenergyafrica Wind and Maize Husks • Wind energy is another promising renewable source of energy that Mulanje can ably utilize • According to the Department of Climate change and Meteorological Services Mulanje has a wind power density of about 175 W/m2 • This is capable of generating significant amount of electricity if wind turbines are installed. • In Mulanje, maize husks are also an agricultural by-product that can be harnessed for energy. • In coming up with biogas digesters these wastes can generate gas for cooking and heating. Electricity generation cost ( Source : US Department of Energy) Capital cost of Electricity Generation 7000 6000 Cost (US$) 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 50 MW Hydroelectric Onshore wind - Onshore wind - Solar PV with Biomass Plant 200 MW 50 MW battery storage Technology Nuclear Levelized cost of electricity ( Source : International Energy Agency, 2020 ) Social Economical Analysis • Politically permissible • Socially the local mass would be willing to support and see through the project. • Economical constraints would hinder the project somewhat but the address of them would enable the project. • If utilized this would reduce the energy crisis in the district and reduce non-environmental friendly means of attaining energy.
