Biomass energy use in Malawi

This report forms part of a project aiming to develop a South-South-North partnership to reshape the impact of a predicted large-scale expansion in global biomass energy use towards greater poverty reduction and maintenance of ecosystem services in developing countries. The consortium of partners represents leading biomass energy researchers from multiple disciplines.

Biomass is the main source of energy in Malawi. It accounts for 97% total primary energy supply. The annual sustainable supply of all biomass is estimated at 42.4 million cubic metres of solid wood equivalent. This is some 2.7 times current demand of energy in Malawi.

This paper reviews the status of biomass energy supply and utilisation in Malawi as well as the policies and programmes that are linked to biomass energy use and supply.