Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

In Malawi, only 14% of the population has access to National Grid electricity. Rural access to electricity sits at an estimated 5% despite 85% of the country’s population living in rural areas. Expansion of the National Grid is forecasted to be more than 20 years away for a significant proportion of Malawi’s rural population. This ongoing lack of access to electricity severely affects quality of life and stalls economic development meaning alternative energy solutions are needed now.  

Self Help Africa (SHA) is working with research partner the University of Strathclyde and through a social enterprise created for the program called Kuyatsa (meaning 'illuminate' in Chichewa). The aim is to provide accessible green energy to communities in Dedza District, Malawi through the scaling up of our existing ‘mini-grids’ work.

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Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)
Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)'
Advances energy access to rural communities without adding to GHA emissions

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Introducing electricity into rural and cut-off communities has a disproportionately positive impact on women, girls and vulnerable people. It increases female employment due to reduced time burdens (American Energy Society 2019). Rates of school attendance and even life expectancy, specifically in girls, also increase with energy access. Due to gender roles, the health benefits from providing clean energy access are also disproportionally positive for women, who are more affected by indoor pollution and subsequent health issues caused by cooking and fuel-based lighting. Women's needs can easily be neglected or overridden if limited light or electricity points are provided. However, women are vital as social networkers, influencers and entrepreneurs (Power For All 20190). Therefore, their involvement is even more essential for both the successful integration of the project and empowering women through access to energy. 

Energy access, especially in rural areas, can help prevent economic migration to urban areas. Increasing access to electricity decreases rural-to-urban migration, even reversing the flow (Interamerican development bank 2014). Energy access in rural areas enhances agricultural processing and employment opportunities for young people, further preventing migration (EU Energy Initiative 2017).

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