Malawi, China sign K5bn pact on mobile solar power systems

The Governments of Malawi and the Peoples Republic of China on Friday signed an agreement for the provision of mobile solar power systems worth about K5 billion to be used in the health sector in the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance in Lilongwe, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qingyang said the mobile solar power units will ease power shortage in health facilities in rural areas of the country.

He noted that Malawi’s power grid only covers about nine percent of the country’s population, as a result, most development activities are affected because of power shortages.

Zhang observed that Malawi has abundant sunshine that would make it suitable for the use of the solar power systems.

“I believe these mobile solar systems will play an important role in improving the lives of the local people,” he said.

The ambassador disclosed that last year his government also gave 250 solar street lights and 533 sets of mobile solar systems, which were installed at Capital Hill in Lilongwe and some were distributed to some of the country’s hospitals.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe thanked the Chinese government for the gift, which he said would go a long way in addressing electricity challenges the country is facing.

“On behalf of government and people of Malawi, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for this donation, which will go a long way in alleviating electricity challenges currently being faced by our rural health facilities,” he said.

Gondwe said the mobile solar power systems would be used to provide power to the rural health facilities that have not yet been connected to the main power grid.

He noted that rural health centres play a critical role in the provision of basic health care; hence, the mobile solar power systems would be very easy to use.

The minister, therefore, advised beneficiaries to take care of the solar power units and use them for the intended purpose.