A Kenya-based innovation and research firm, Scinovent Centre, has announced plans to invest in renewable energy generation in the country. The move is aimed at addressing electricity woes which emanate from Malawi’s heavy reliance on hydro-energy sources, among other reasons.
The firm would implement three projects in conjunction with the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST). The projects would explore the use of ciomass, solar-powered technologies and biogas.
Speaking at the launch of the private partnership research grant project in Lilongwe, Scinovent Centre Director, Maurice Bolo, said, if well implemented, the projects would address energy challenges Malawi is facing. “When the projects are completed, they would help reduce power challenges in the country. If you look at what the team in gasification is doing, there are a lot of wastes that are being generated and can be reused. It is a good beginning and it will reduce our dependency on hydro-electro power and, to that extent, help address the national problem, ” Bolo said.
NCST Director General, Anthony Muyepa, said the initiative would uplift the lived of people in the country. “We are now talking about private partnership in research and innovation and we find them to be a catalyst for development of human capital and will bridge the gap that the market has failed to fill,” Mupeya said.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacities of science-granting councils in sub-Saharan Africa.
(Source: The Daily Times Malawi, 6th December 2018)