265 Energy Responds To CoP-28 Resolutions On Climate Action Goals
By: Draxon Maloya
Resolutions made at the recent 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (Cop 28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates have spared no effort to achieve significant progress on climate action and move from setting goals to achieving them, developing a comprehensive action plan for the benefit of humanity and the planet.
It is against this background that the European Union, Teveta and Malawi Government strengthened their partnership aimed at creating a competitive workforce and building the capacity of institutions to deliver quality vocational education and training in renewable energy industry in Malawi in fulfillment of the Malawi Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Through the program, one project supported the formulation of the first curriculum and training in renewable energy in some vocational training institutions such as: Mzuzu Technical College, Miracle Institute in Karonga and Zayed in Nkhata Bay in the Northern region.
Through the support, students have graduated in a 3 year training cycle in solar and photovoltaic which included attachments to the industry hence the multiplication in the usage of clean energy sources and employment opportunities in this promising sector.
However, despite some recent research findings reports state that some economic factors affecting the middle and low income earning working class, the response in usage of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) has significantly increased in the country.
The development is a sign of success on the part of government and some stakeholders in the fight against the effects of environmental degradation also greatly affecting the ecosystems and hydro-power generation.
As one way of easing the the effects of environmental degradation affecting livelihoods, 265 Energy Limited availed themselves onto the market offering the most effective and affordable alternative by introducing low priced gas cookers with 3 kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders selling lower than what is currently on the market
During a media briefing held in the capital city, Lilongwe on Friday, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for 265 Energy Limited, Mfundo Mvundula disclosed that products ordered through the Cleaner Cooking Grant from UKAID and USAID with the assistance of the Standard Bank’s China Trade Agreement has greatly contributed to the LPG’s affordable status.
Despite most Malawians showing resistance to switch from charcoal or the perceived expensive and unreliable electricity as most gas solutions are priced on the higher side the product has received an overwhelming response from consumers.
“Am confident, the low priced gas cookers are able to help a lot of people have access to such energy alternatives while also saving the environment,” Mvundula said.
The 265 Energy Limited’s partnership with the Standard Bank has made a significant positive impact in Malawi in as far as clean renewable energy is concerned mainly in the area of environmental conservation.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) says there has been an increase by 50 percent in market consumption of Liquid Petroleum Gas in the country, based on the imports of LPG and equipment.
MERA’s consumer Affairs and Public Relations Manager, Fitina Khonje says: “this is against the annual gas consumption which stood at 2,194 metric tonnes 24 months ago, in an industry which only had seven importers and 63 retail outlets in the country,” she said.
With slightly above 3 percent of Malawi’s population using Gas and 70 percent of which is for domestic use, experts says the trajectory is a positive step towards the use of efficient and sustainable alternative energy sources that do not exert pressure on natural resources.
