BIOGAS CLIKING - EcoGen to install 10,000 biogas plants by 2026
These installations will not only provide a sustainable energy source for cooking, but also produce liquid organic fertilizer, addressing the surging prices of agricultural inputs in the country.
LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) – EcoGen, a leading provider of clean energy for household cooking, announced a significant initiative to install 10,000 Sistema.bio biogas plants in Malawi.
The initiative is part of a carbon program under a bilateral agreement between the Malawian and Swiss governments. EcoGen’s Chief Executive Officer, Clement Kandodo, explained that the biogas digesters installed on Malawian farms will generate carbon credits to be sold to the Swiss government.
The revenue from these sales will subsidize the cost of the digesters, making them more affordable for local farmers.
“The revenue generated from selling the carbon credits will be deducted from the end user price to enhance the affordability of digesters sold and reach farms in Malawi at a high scale.
The application to KliK Foundation was developed in collaboration with ACT, an advisory firm for carbon programs, that will also support the implementation and project monitoring,” Kandodo told Planet Defence in an interview.
EcoGen has been active in Malawi since 2021, marketing, selling, installing, and servicing Sistema.bio’s pre-fabricated biogas technology. The company is committed to aiding farmers, businesses, and communities in leveraging biogas and organic fertilizer to improve soil health, reduce carbon footprints, and boost crop yields, crucial for an economy heavily reliant on agriculture.
The carbon program, extending until the end of 2026, positions EcoGen as a local champion for installing these biodigesters, ensuring they become a primary source of clean energy for household cooking across Malawi.
Dilize Nyasulu, co-chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Access to Renewable Energy in Malawi, emphasized the urgent need for a transition to clean cooking practices. Currently, about 85% of household energy in Malawi is derived from biomass, leading to severe air pollution and forest degradation due to illegal charcoal production.
The installation of these biogas plants by EcoGen is a critical step towards reducing household air pollution and promoting sustainable energy use in Malawi.