Electronic & Electrical EngineeringMalawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP)

In 2011 the Scottish Government commissioned a scoping study on Supporting Community Energy Development in Malawi. The outcomes of the study pointed to different programme activities that the Scottish Government might support.

Those recommendations have been taken forward in the form of the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP).  MREAP is managed by the University of Strathclyde. It has eight main partners and is governed by a Programme Steering Group (co-chaired by the Government of Malawi Department of Energy Affairs and the University of Strathclyde). The programme has received £2.3m in funding.  MREAP ran from January 2012 to March 2015. An ongoing collaboration with Community Energy Malawi has been underway since August 2015.

Overall objective

The overall MREAP objective is to:

Accelerate the growth of community and renewable energy development in Malawi through multiple, targeted and coordinated activities with good potential to provide a platform for that growth.

Image for community energy - MREAP project

Community Energy Development

 Effective community renewable energy deployments are facilitated by capable stakeholders who support and empower communities to develop and own renewable energy projects.  In doing this, they support the effective development of the renewable energy sector, and provide development benefits for the Malawian communities.
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Institutional Support Programme

 Malawian institutions have evidence and systems to support the effective development of the renewable energy sector.
MREAP - Renewable Energy Capacity

Renewable Energy Capacity Building

 Higher Education institutions, trainers and entrepreneurs have the knowledge of renewable energy and appropriate resources to support the development of the renewable energy sector to ensure development benefits for the local communities.
Wind turbines

Wind Energy Preparation

 Effective wind power resources are deployed by capable stakeholders within government, civil society, communities and the private sector to support the development of the renewable energy sector and provide the Malawian communities with development benefits.