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20 September, 2024A conference held in Lilongwe from 9-12 September on the just energy transition and skills development in the renewable energy sector highlighted both the unique challenges and shared experiences of most Sub-Saharan African countries as they developed strategies towards transitioning to low-carbon economies.
The conference emphasized on technical and vocational skills training in the renewable energy sector in Malawi which includes solar and wind, highlighting the Zantchito – Skills for jobs programme which is providing short-term vocational skills training courses on renewable energy which also caters for small to medium-sized enterprises. The training is being held jointly with trade unions as represented by the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions and the Malawi Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) includes the installation of solar panels and on renewable energy technologies. The conference highlighted that this is key to upskilling and job creation during the energy transition.
The skills training supports Malawi’s national energy policy which aims to increase affordable and reliable access by improving electricity access by 80 percent in 2035 through investment in solar and other renewable energy sources. Further, the policy aims to reduce the energy deficit through investments in decentralized mini-grids, independent power producers, and energy technologies. Currently only 15 percent Malawians have access to electricity. This leaves over 15 million Malawians without electricity access and relying mainly on biomass – firewood, charcoal, and crop residue – for cooking according to government reports.
Malawi’s energy mix is dominated by hydropower which generates 95 percent of electricity and renewable energy that includes solar and geothermal, imported petroleum-based products such as liquefied petroleum gas, and biomass. However, hydropower is vulnerable to floods and droughts.
There were also discussions on the challenges of the unbundling and privatization of state-owned enterprises in Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and the implications on trade union organizing.
Over 50 participants who participated at the conference were drawn from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The conference was supported by the United Federation of Danish Trade Unions (3F) and other partners including the British Council, Danish Industries, Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA), and the European Union who are also supporting the skills training programme.
Other organizations that participated in the conference are the ministry of labour, Ministry of Energy, Employer Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM), Malawi power utility Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), Electricity Generation Company of Malawi (EGENCO), Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), TEVETA, Mzuzu University, and others.
The Sub-Saharan Africa regional office and IndustriALL affiliates from Ghana, Malawi Zimbabwe and participated in the conference. The conference was hosted by the ESCOM Staff Union (ESU) while other IndustriALL affiliates in Malawi – the Chemical Energy Mining and Allied Workers Union (CEMAWU) and the Textile, Garment, Leather, and Security Services Workers Union (TGLSSWU) also participated. ESU is part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Network (SSAEN).
“The conference welcomed feasibility partnerships with TEVETA on green energy transition learning from a practical project under the European Union,”
said Bjorn Haar, 3F programmes coordinator.
William Mnyamula, ESU secretary general said:
“The just energy transition is a crucial topic in global and African development, and in Malawi as it focuses on sustainable, affordable, and long-term energy solutions critical to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).”
“Skills development is an integral part of the energy transition as new jobs are created in the renewable energy sector, and it is critical for unions and vocational training colleges to work together as is currently happening in Malawi,”
said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.
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