This is a project being implemented under Increasing Access to Clean and Affordable Energy Services (IACADES) project under the Department of Energy Affairs with funding from UNDP and GEF and is being co-funded by Community Energy Scotland. The implementing partner for this project is Community Energy Malawi (CEM). CEM is a Malawian registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established as an output of the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP), a Scottish Government funded renewable energy project. CEM under its subsidiary, Community Energy Malawi Trading (CEM Trading), is implementing this Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Mini Grid Project in Sitolo Village in Mchinji district Sitolo Village. Sitolo Village is 18km from the nearest national electricity grid infrastructure and aside from a limited number of individual residential solar installations, currently has no access to an electricity connection.
The project is being implemented in phases. In its pilot phase, the project has installed 80kW Solar powered Mini Grid that will supply electricity to 155 customers (150 households, 2 churches, a school, a clinic and a maize mill) covering radius of 3KM. The pilot phase is being implemented with funding from the UNDP and GEF. This phase is yet to be commission as the constructions will be completed by June 2019. CEM Trading will be sourcing finances to implement phases two and three that will increase capacity to 400kW. All the production shall be centralized; operating from the chosen location. Power will be distributed direct to user’s property through distribution lines.