The 1.3-million-euro (about K1.3 billion) project, in which the EU brings in 1.2 million euros and Oxfam 133 333 euros, will be implemented by a consortium of three civil society organizations, namely Oxfam, Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA) and Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) for three and a half years.

Speaking during the launch in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Oxfam Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said the aim is to contribute to a more green and resilient economic transformation.

Said Mihowa, “The project is aiming at building the capacity of CSOs [Civil Society Organizations] and citizens to be able to inform and engage in policies related to the energy sector, particularly clean energy.

“It is also aiming at supporting the capacities of citizens and CSOs to be able to demand for accountability from the government and even producers as far as energy is concerned.”

Mihowa added that the implementing organizations will also pilot clean energy solutions in Salima, Lilongwe and Blantyre to provide evidence on technologies that can be upscaled.

She said the project, which is largely advocacy in nature, will ensure communities are supported with resources, training and sensitization for them to appreciate the use of electricity for cooking and heating.

“This is supposed to push for more adoption of clean energy or renewable energy, we know that the government has been largely reliant on hydro power generation but we are also sure of opportunities that can be created or are already existing in terms of expansion for clean energy solutions,” she added.

Director of Electricity in the Ministry of Energy Million Mafuta the project has come at a right time as the government is also working on increasing the adoption of clean energy solutions.

He said the government has put a levy waiver on clean energy equipment to reduce the cost of importation to make them affordable to the low-income population.

“We have programmes that are made special to ensure accessibility of the clean energy solutions for people in the country; this project will assist in the area,” said Mafuta.

Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Malawi Ivo Hoefkens called on the government and non-governmental organizations to mount a massive campaign to ensure citizens embrace the new technology.

He observed that many people especially in rural areas have yet to learn about and embrace clean energy.