African Sun Energy powers Malawian research facility with solar

African Sun Energy (ASE) has collaborated with the University of Glasgow to provide solar energy at a Malawian medical research facility, the Blantyre Blantyre Research Facility.  ASE says the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of February 2021.

The project was funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Global Challenges Research Fund. “This funding has come at a crucial time for the health sector in Southern Africa where, unfortunately still, many health facilities do not have access to reliable and affordable clean energy to enable them to maintain basic services. This is even more significant as the possible vaccine required for the treatment of COVID-19 will require a level of temperature control to maintain their efficacy,” said Eunice Ntobedzi, Director of Africa Sun Energy.

University of Glasgow’s Dean of Global Engagement for Africa & Middle East, Prof Paul Garside, lauded the collaboration as a fantastic achievement. “It is absolutely fantastic to see one of our world-changing alumni from Botswana helping to deliver clean energy and expertise to an important new clinical research facility developed with our partners at College of Medicine in Malawi. This is a real example of south-south collaboration,” he commented.

African Sun Energy skills initiative

In addition to installing the new solar power system to the Malawi research facility, African Sun Energy will roll out solar power installation training and education in Malawi targeting Women. This is set to improve the social conditions of the beneficiaries and help address the skills gap.

The state-of-the art research facility is housed within the College of Medicine (COM) University of Malawi, it is funded by the Scottish Government International Development department.

Dr Mwapatsa Mipando, Immediate Past Principal of College of Medicine expressed excitement saying the Blantyre Blantyre Research Facility will utilize clean energy and thereby be an exemplar in our country and the region. “This project is a giant step in our quest to become an environmentally friendly campus. We look forward to working with our colleagues from Scotland and Botswana,” she added.