2023 Global Energy Interconnection Conference

Ni Hao, the Chairman of GEIDCO Mr. Xin Baoan, the representatives of government ministries and departments from various countries here present, the representatives of international and regional organizations, universities, and research institutions, enterprises, and financial institutions here present,

distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, let me begin by commending the echo of organizing these 2023 Global Energy Interconnection Conference

This conference provides a platform for us to discuss and share experiences and research findings on energy matters and propose solutions to problems and challenges facing the energy sector globally.

Talking briefly about development of energy and power in Malawi.

The government of Malawi is making great efforts to advance clean energy and power development in the country. Among others, the government is accelerating the construction and its transmission and the distribution networks, promoting transmission interconnections with the neighboring countries, that is Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. And in order to actively participate in regional electricity markets, these efforts will ensure sufficient, safe, and affordable power supply for the people of Malawi, and the country's economic and social development.

I should mention that Malawi supports the global energy interconnection concept of meeting global power demand with clean and green energy. Malawi’s development strategy is highly consistent with this concept.

Power generation in Malawi is almost 100 % renewable energy best. The country relies on hydropower and solar power with a very small contribution from diesel generation, for emergency purposes only. Implementation of the global energy interconnection concept in Malawi, Africa, and least developed countries is of great importance to ensure sufficient in sustainable energy supply, develop mineral resources, facilitate economic development and improve people's wellbeing.

In this regard, I welcome investors into the power industry in Malawi to leverage governments efforts. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to briefly comment on the work of GEIDCO. GEIDCO proposed the African energy interconnection and the co-development model of electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, and trade, offering systematic solutions to Africa’s energy transition and the economic and social development.

I, on behalf of the Malawi government, appreciate the efforts made by GEIDCO to promote African energy interconnection and it's positive contributions to fostering a beautiful, happy, and prosperous Africa.

GEIDCO is an important partner of Ministry of Energy of Malawi. I am pleased to inform you all that the parties intend to sign a memorandum of understanding, a framework of their cooperation in a number of areas, which include technical research, project implementation, personal training, among others, and jointly promote sustainable development of Malawi, in particular, and Africa in general.

I wish to end by saying that the battle against the climate change and energy poverty cannot be won by individual countries, institutions, or programs alone. Let me quote from an African perspective and an African proverb, which says one hand cannot clap. And of course, there is a need for concerted efforts, collaboration and a shared vision globally to fight against the energy poverty and climate change.

In addition to this, regional integration and bilateral cooperations are also key.Historically, energy poverty has been viewed through the simple lens of whether one was connected to the electricity grid or not.While it is critical that we continue to expand connections, energy poverty will remain a challenge if the issue of clean and modern cooking is not addressed. Our focus on the energy poverty has been on grid connections, and to a lesser extent, on mini or Micro grids.These initiatives mainly save the papers of providing electricity for lighting, powering appliances, and charging mobile phones.

Most of the times we do forget that according to the sustainable energy for all, around 3 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean cooking solutions. These people rely on burning traditional biomass or polluting fuels, which have severe consequences, including indoor air pollution that causes millions of deaths annually.Globally, there is lack of or inadequate finance flowing towards clean cooking. Despite access to clean and modern cooking has a huge role to play on the roads to achieving universal access to clean and modern energy by 2030, it is high time, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the access to modern and clean cooking was made a priority globally and its country levels.We, therefore, need to raise our ambitions on this.We need to unlock finance for this.

I thank you for your attention. May god bless you all.