Biogas Plants Offer Hope for Electricity in Off-the-Grid Malawi

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 600 million people lack access to electricity. Malawi stands out with only 14.1% of its population connected to the main grid, dropping to 5.6% in rural areas, reports Ehiaze Ehimen and Thomas Robin for The Conversation Africa.  

To address this disparity, decentralized renewable energy systems like biogas plants offer promise. Using readily available materials such as manure and vegetable waste, biogas plants provide a cost-effective way to generate electricity, especially in areas where connecting to the national grid is not economically feasible. The abundance of biomass resources in rural communities and low setup and operational costs make biogas production an attractive solution. It also helps address environmental and health concerns by reducing methane emissions from organic waste and reducing reliance on traditional biomass fuels.

Biogas plants convert organic waste into methane and carbon dioxide through anaerobic digestion, providing a renewable energy source for electricity, heating, and cooking. The plants typically have a lifespan of 20 years.