1.
SOLAR-WIND INTEGRATION FOR ENHANCEMENT
OF SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS ON LIKOMA
ISLAND
Collen Zalengera PhD
Lecturer in Renewable Technologies
Head of Department of Energy Studies
Mzuzu University Malawi
energy.mzuni.ac.mw
zalengera.c@mzuni.ac.mw
czalengera@yahoo.com

2.
BAKGROUND
In order to reduce
operation costs,
the diesel
generators supply
power for only 14
hours per day at a
maximum
When diesel is
scarce, the hours
of electricity
supply can be less
than 14 hours

3.
THE REMOTENESS OF LIKOMA ISLAND FROM SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOODS - WITH SOLE DIESEL-FIRED ELECTRICITY
 When diesel is scarce; and what happens in the 10 hours of no supply
daily
 The cost: US$0.88 per kW requires huge subsidy to enable access to
the poor
Communication
cannot work
Ships and boats
cannot operate
Water treatment and supply is
affected
Students in schools cannot
study effectively

4.
ENERGY POVERTY IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ON LIKOMA
ISLAND
Battery powered LEDs placed in strategic points used for
lighting in some houses
How do children from
these houses with
poor and limited
lighting sources
compete in national
exams?

5.
SOLAR AND WIND INTEGRATION AS THE SOLUTION
Research has found that with same
finances committed for operation of diesel
generators for 14 hours; it is feasible to
supply Likoma Island electricity for 24
hours if solar and wind are integrated
Generation cost can reduce from
US$0.88per kWh to US$0.441 per kWh
With the set tariff of about US$0.08 per
kWh; subsidy per kWh can reduce by about
56%
24/7/365 electricity service equals
improved health, education, household
energy, water supply, and business services
…sustainable livelihoods

6.
IMPLEMENTATION MODEL
Excess energy that would be
curtailed can provide for
energy kiosk where non-grid
customers can bring pico solar
products for charging. The
kiosk can also offer a number
of services
Implementation model
enhances access of affordable
quality energy services to non-
grid low income households
while enhancing utilisation of
what would be curtailed energy

7.
PROJECT PROGRESS
• Decision makers convinced with solutions
• Sourcing financing for capital cost
• Working in collaboration with the Electricity Supply Corporation of
Malawi (ESCOM) to implement the system.

8.
Thank you.