Electricity in Malawi in 2022

In 2022, Malawi generated a total of about 1.27 TWh of low-carbon electricity, with the majority, around 1.05 TWh, coming from hydropower. This means that almost all of Malawi's low-carbon electricity comes from hydropower, with a modest contribution from other sources like solar. Compared to the global average electricity consumption of 3606 watts per person, Malawi's per capita electricity generation is significantly lower, likely leading to limited access to electricity for many residents. The low levels of electricity generation can impact economic growth, educational development, and healthcare services, thus inhibiting overall development.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Malawi could expand its existing solar infrastructure, which has already begun contributing to the energy mix. Learning from countries like India and China can be particularly insightful. For example, India and China have successfully scaled up their solar capacity, generating 125 TWh and 653 TWh from solar energy, respectively. Malawi can adopt similar policies such as offering incentives for solar investments and streamlining regulations to foster rapid solar deployment. Additionally, exploring wind energy, as seen in Brazil and India, which generate nearly 100 TWh from wind each, could diversify Malawi's clean energy portfolio.

History

Historically, Malawi has relied on hydropower for its low-carbon electricity needs. From 1992 to 2012, Malawi saw periodic increases in hydropower generation, including notable increments in 1992, 1997, and 2010 among others. However, there were also years with no change, like 2003 and 2006, and recent years saw declines, such as a reduction of -0.5 TWh in 2018. The introduction of solar energy in 2019 represented a positive shift toward diversifying clean energy sources. Most recently, in 2022, hydropower generation increased again by 0.1 TWh. Continued investment and expansion in solar, alongside stable hydropower production, could ensure a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Malawi.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources