Scotland gives Polytechnic 1.7 million pounds

The Scottish Government’s International Development Fund has given the Polytechnic, through its Water Sanitation Health and Appropriate Technology Development Programme, 1.7 million pounds (about K360 million) to accelerate the growth of renewable energy in Malawi.

Speaking during a news conference in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre, on Wednesday, college principal Professor Grant Kululanga said the project aims at providing access to reliable energy in rural areas and help in climate change mitigation.

“The overall objective of the programme is to support the Government of Malawi’s energy strategy by accelerating the growth of community energy through multiple, targeted and coordinated activities.

“The renewable energy programmes use clean technologies that do not erode carbon in the atmosphere; hence, the need to adapt and help in mitigating climate change,” he said.

Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (M-REAP) coordinator at the Polytechnic, Kelvin Tembo, said the three-year project will also help to develop expertise in renewable resource energy.

The college’s director of Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development,   Dr Salule Masangwi, said the institution wants to produce graduates who can help in the renewable energy sector.