This paper presents the status of the energy sector in
This paper presents the energy demand projection for Malawi considering implementation of two energy development strategies. The strategies are Malawi Biomass Energy Strategy (BEST) and Malawi electricity investment plan. Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) software was used as the simulation tool. Environmental effects of the energy sector towards global warming by the energy sector as a result of implementing the strategies have been investigated. Three scenarios were developed, the first one to reflect on business as usual, the second one depicting implementation of Malawi BEST and the third one depicting implementation of the Malawi Electricity Investment Plan. A fourth scenario was developed to depict implementation of both strategies. 2008 was used as the base year with energy mix of consisting of biomass consumption decrease in all the scenarios due to better efficiency in the utilization of biomass and change in life style by people as a direct response to available energy alternatives. Implementing both the Malawi BEST and Malawi Electricity Investment Plan for energy sector development would be better in terms of both energy supply and global warming effects.
This paper presents the status of the energy sector in Malawi which is not effectively contributing to the national economic development because it is unreliable and insufficient hence not able to meet the energy demand. About 83% of Malawi's population live in rural areas and rely on fuel wood for energy supply. High reliance on biomass has had negative environmental impacts through indoor pollution, deforestation, soil erosion leading to high soil sediment loads to water bodies resulting in poor water quality in rivers and lakes. Electricity supply is much less than demand resulting in deficient and unreliable supply. Malawi is endowed with a number of renewable energy resources yet utilization of these resources is still a major challenge. Little progress has been made in improving the energy supply situation due to a number of reasons, main ones being poverty, lack of political will and wrong approaches in addressing the energy problem. Most current approaches aim at improving the current situation but our opinion would be to develop new strategies to shift the energy situation from its present condition to the desired status.
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