Project News

Activities for 2007 started in April. In May, we worked on the technical guide for data collection of solar powered clinic of Alinafe close to Lake Malawi and later we worked on the Annual Work Plan development for the Department of Energy (DOE) Rural Electrification division.

First we worked on the solar (PV) data log setting. Through photovoltaic power generation, we accumulated electricity to a solar battery through a solar panel. We monitored electric discharge of the battery, battery capacity and of the panel used in order to evaluate which size is appropriate for such facilities. The purpose of this exercise is to use the results for future designs of equipment for such facilities.

It is hoped that the DOE staff who took part in this exercise will use the skills acquired to work as PV inspectors in future.

We also inspected some electrified and un-electrified Trading Centres (TCs) in the southern region with counterpart staff. In Malawi, a Trading Centre has a market, and public accommodation which play a significant role in economic development of the area. Trading centres therefore are targeted when we plan for rural electrification. Activation of regional economies is expected when public institutions like medical care centres or education facilities are electrified.

Affordable electricity is used in maize mills that grind maize, which is a staple food for Malawi, into flour that is used for preparing food. In trading centres which have been electrified a lot of electric maize mills have been installed. On the other hand, diesel powered maize mills are expensive because of the ever-rising cost of petroleum products both on the local and international markets. This is the problem faced by un-electrified trading centres and maize prices are usually high as well. We carried out comparisons between electrified and non-electrified TCs and the findings were that there are a lot of benefits with the electrified TCs.

By the way, do you how maize is consumed? We make water warm to about 50 degrees Celsius, then we put maize flour little by little while gently stirring until it becomes like porridge. We let the porridge boil for close to thirty minutes and we add more flour while stirring it vigorously until it becomes pate-like. We make sure that all the lumps are crashed to ensure that it is smooth before it is shared. We call this “nsima”.
Nsima is eaten with any relish including the famous “chambo” fish from Lake Malawi, beef stew, chicken, and vegetables. Nsima is eaten with hands.

We also had discussions with officials from the Malawi electricity power company called Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi, (ESCOM). During the discussions we were briefed on the conditions of the company and on the progress of the rural electrification.