Decentralizing power production: lessons to learn from clean energy use in remote communities of Malawi
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cross the globe, International Clean Energy Day highlights the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels as our primary energy source. Even though clean energy is often referred to within a limited context of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it also offers innovative solutions to existential insecurities across communities worldwide. Ulaya Mwale and his company Sustainable Water Irrigation and Farming Technologies (SWIFT), a YouthADAPT Challenge winner, exemplify how the use of clean energy can provide basic services, build resilience to climate change, and foster further innovation.
Global demand for electricity is set to drastically increase in the coming three years, yet many communities across developing countries continue to have limited or no access to an affordable and secure energy source. Furthermore, climate shocks such as floods and droughts deliver devastating blows to aging grids, leaving limited options for vast swathes of communities dispersed across the developing world.
Malawi-based enterprise SWIFT addresses the shortcomings of the aging infrastructure by supplying a varied list of clients, ranging from small-scale farmers and individual homes to large enterprises and service providers, with secure and affordable access to potable water and clean energy, all using renewable energy centered around solar power.
SWIFT is a perfect example of the intervention made by the private sector on pioneering the use of clean energy to solve common and critical issues affecting vast swathes of local communities in developing countries.
In a recent interview with GCA, Ulaya Mwale explained how clean energy is central to their enterprise’s success and the shift in demand for sustainable solutions helping communities and businesses adapt to a changing climate.
How does clean energy play a role in your business operations and development?
Ulaya Mwale: We use only clean energy for our operations, and currently, we are using solar energy. We are also conducting studies into the use of wind or hybrid systems combining wind and solar, but for now, solar is our main source of energy.
To further expand the use of solar energy, we have opened a shop that sells solar products and solar pumps. This initiative aims to increase access to clean energy across the country. These products are available to everyone, including private clients, businesses, local communities, and farmers. We offer sustainable energy options for various uses, such as solar pumping for irrigation and home use.
In addition to solar energy solutions and solar pumps, we have integrated solar energy into water treatment processes. Previously, many people in rural areas consumed untreated water, but there is now a growing need for water treatment. To address this, we have developed treatment units that can be deployed in remote areas without access to electricity or a power grid. These treatment units run entirely on solar power, supporting processes like carbon filtration and UV treatment. This innovation specifically targets very rural communities to ensure access to clean water.
With around 80% of Malawi’s population working in agriculture, the sector remains highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks. How do you see companies like yours contributing to greater resilience in agriculture through sustainable water and energy solutions? What impact have you observed so far?
Ulaya Mwale: We believe we exist at the right time and place, motivated to provide solutions to the agricultural industry. Agriculture is a strong focus for us because farmers are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks. Malawi has been experiencing both droughts and floods: droughts in the northern region and floods in the southern region, largely due to cyclones originating from Madagascar and affecting Mozambique and southern Malawi.
These contrasting challenges require different solutions, and we’ve developed technologies that are effective at small scales and low cost. For example, in the southern region, we’ve introduced 50 small-scale solar pumps. These versatile pumps work on both boreholes and surface water and focusing on establishing water harvesting infrastructure to store and manage excess rainwater. We aim to restore some of the flooded water and use it later when needed. These pumps are portable and use minimal solar energy — just 750 watts — making them easy to transport between the home and farm daily.
In the northern region, where droughts are more frequent, we’ve invested in a high-capacity drilling machine to create deeper and larger boreholes. This allows farmers to access reliable water sources. We’re also working on projects to develop water supply systems that serve clusters of farmers, such as setting up pipelines for 100 farmers. By providing centralized water access, farmers can irrigate their plots even during extended dry periods.
How have clean energy innovations in water and energy supply influenced demand? Have you noticed any shifts in how communities perceive or adopt these solutions over time?
Ulaya Mwale: There is a clear and direct impact on local communities in terms of increased demand for clean energy solutions. For instance, in one district where we installed two solar-powered water supply systems, the positive results and benefits to the community were so significant that the District Council adopted solar energy as their first choice for water pumping. Now, when partners propose projects in the district, they are advised to prioritize solar-powered systems.
Additionally, we have frequently been approached by other communities expressing interest in solar-powered water supply systems and solar energy for electricity. In areas where we’ve installed solar-powered water systems, residents often request integrated systems that also provide electricity. This indicates a growing awareness and demand for clean energy as communities recognize its value and affordability.
We’ve also seen public agencies begin to incorporate solar energy into their projects. This shift often replaces diesel generators as an alternative energy source. Our demonstrations have shown that solar energy is not only affordable but also highly effective, providing a cheaper and more sustainable option than diesel.
Looking back at your journey, how has centering your operations on clean energy, particularly solar power, shaped your company’s growth?
Ulaya Mwale: Had we relied on traditional energy sources, we would have become just another engineering company offering conventional solutions. Instead, our emphasis on clean energy has allowed us to innovate and address unique challenges effectively. Each of our projects incorporates in-depth analysis of climate data, enabling us to design systems that are both efficient and sustainable. This approach has attracted a diverse clientele and fostered rapid growth, outpacing most competitors in the engineering sector.
Centering our work around clean energy has enabled us to develop cost-effective and efficient solutions that address both immediate needs and broader sustainability challenges. By doing so, we not only lower costs for our clients but also provide solutions that are resilient against aging infrastructure and complex supply chains.
What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in shifting toward renewable energy at a greater scale? How do you think this transition would impact countries like Malawi in the long run?
Ulaya Mwale: The transition to clean energy presents both challenges and opportunities. A significant challenge is the mindset — many people are not yet accustomed to clean energy solutions. Additionally, policies in many countries still favor conventional energy sources, especially fossil fuels, which limits access to clean energy. These traditional sources cannot meet the growing energy demands, and decision-making processes in governments often slow down the adoption of innovative solutions.
However, the opportunities are vast. For instance, countries like Malawi and Zambia, being landlocked, face high costs for importing diesel from abroad. Malawi is currently experiencing a Forex crisis, making it difficult for the government to procure fuel. This situation creates an enormous opportunity to implement renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles. By deploying solar charging stations across the country, we could reduce dependence on diesel, which is becoming increasingly expensive and politically burdensome.
If implemented, this would not only address energy access issues but also help stabilize the country’s Forex reserves and reduce the economic strain caused by fuel imports. We see this as a vital opportunity for growth in our business. However, the bureaucracy and regulatory hurdles pose challenges that require time and persistence to overcome.
GCA’s interview with Ulaya Mwale highlights the power of small enterprises across the world, such as SWIFT, that are using clean energy to build societal resilience to climate change while ensuring their sustainable development. The work of SWIFT offers an innovative and sustainable, decentralized approach to powering society that pushes policies and public perceptions forward. By building clean energy at the core of their enterprise, SWIFT has enhanced economic stability, reduced reliance on expensive imports, and driven sustainable growth in developing communities.
The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.
