Critical review of the Malawi community energy model

Over the past decade, promotion of innovative models for distributed renewable energy supply in developing countries has grown considerably. International plans to meet goals of universal energy access and increased use of renewables depend on the success of these projects. This paper considers the community energy model demonstrated in the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP). Initial indications suggest a significant improvement in the sustainability prospects of the associated community energy projects at the cost of a higher investment in the development process. The potential of the model is clear, yet the systematic challenges to sustainability for off-grid systems in Malawi require an ongoing support mechanism for communities, ostensibly through a district energy office

Remote monitoring of off-grid renewable energy case studies in rural Malawi, Zambia, and Gambia

Increased understanding of off-grid renewable energy technology (RET) performance can assist in improving sustainability of such systems. The technologies for remote monitoring of RET deployments in developing countries are promising with various configurations and usages being tested. Recent applications of remote monitoring technologies in Malawi, Gambia, and Zambia are presented along with their respective strengths and weaknesses. The potential for remote monitoring applications to improve sustainability of off-grid RET is explored along with some theoretical directions of the technologies

An integrated approach to energy for development : case study of the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme

Advantages and challenges of an integrated approach to energy for development are presented through the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP) within context of the development of the Malawian energy sector. Initial indications suggest synergies exist between sub-programs of work that would otherwise be less likely to occur in non-integrated programs. Likewise, additional challenges such as coordination and management are required to realize the potential benefits. This paper presents a survey of the Malawian energy sector, an energy for development research framework and a programmatic outcome strategy designed for MREAP