PROJECT  TITTLE:  USINGINI    HYDRO  POWER  MINI  GRID  PROJECT  

   The   site   lies  within   the  Vipya  plateau   in  Nkhatabay  District   in  Malawi,  which   rises   up   to   an   altitude  of  1,900m  above  sea  level.  After  conducting  a  rapid  assessment  of  the  Zulunkhuni  river  in  Nyakatali  falls,  it  was  deduced  that  the  site  has  the  potential  of  generating  around  600KW.  The  area  has  high  demand  for  energy  for  productive  uses  such  as  coffee  production  and  processing,  irrigation  agriculture,  fish  farming  other   agro-­‐processing   enterprises   and   powering   community   services   such   as   schools   and   hospitals.     A  number   of   coffee   cooperatives   operating   in   the   area  would   act   as   an   anchor   load   to   ensure   financial  viability   of   the   project.   The   coffee   cooperatives   and   private   enterprises   operating   in   the   area  will   also  provide  additional   resources,   institutional   capacity  and  market   for   the  energy   to  ensure  viability  of   the  social  enterprise  that  will  be  set  up  to  manage  the  proposed  mini  grid  after  completion.  It  is  estimated  that  each  coffee  processing  plant  would  require  around  10KW  which  would  provide  a  base  load  of  100KW.  The  processing  plants  are  currently  using  diesel  generators,  requiring  an  average  of    35  litres  a  day.    Currently  a  single  estate  is  spending  an  estimated  cost  of  $100  a  day  towards    fuel  and  the  required  maintenance  to  the  diesel  generator.  It  is  projected  that  if  the  mini  grid  will  be  in  place  they  will  be  able  to  save  60%  of  the  current  expenditure.  Overall,  the  project  will  directly  impact  an  estimate  1,500  households  (7,500  people).      IMPACT:    The  Department  of  Energy  Affairs  in  Malawi  confirmed  that  there  are  no  immediate  plans  for  grid  expansion.   Based   on   the   A-­‐B-­‐C   model,   the   pilot   mini   grid   project   will   target   1000   households,   100  entrepreneurs,  6  coffee  estates  ,  3  schools,  and  3  health  centers  located  in  the  project  catchment  area.  ABSTRACT.  There  is  only  one  reliable  mini  grid  in  Malawi  which  generates  80KW  for  more  information  visit  http://practicalaction.org/mega-­‐malawi.  The  mini  grid  has  demonstrated  best  practice  though  there  are    few  anchor  loads  who  could  provide  revenue  for  the  sustainability  of  the  mini  grid  unlike  Usingini  which  has  coffee  growers.  Problem  statement.  Usingini  area  is  20  KM  away  from  the  grid,  people  are  in  darkness  as  most  households  use  kerosene,  china  torches  for  lighting  and  diesel  generators  for  processing  coffee.  The  proposed  Usingini  mini  grid  site  at  Zulunkhuni  river  has  coffee  growers  who  will  provide  revenue  for  the  sustainability  of  the  system.    Team  Leader:  Admore  Chiumia.  Team  members:    Wezzie  Ngoma  and  Lynda  Chilinda.