Malawi and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to begin the Capital Hill Solarisation Project, aimed at reducing government electricity costs and improving energy security.
The initiative comes as Malawi faces ongoing power supply constraints and increasing demand for reliable electricity.
The MoU was signed by representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Malawi’s Minister of Energy, Dr Jean Mathanga.
The project will involve installing a 3MW solar power system at Capital Hill in Lilongwe to generate electricity for government operations.
It will also support electric vehicle charging and feed surplus power into the national grid.
According to project details, the plant is expected to generate about 5.4 million kilowatt-hours annually.
The government estimates savings of around US$540,000 per year through reduced electricity costs.
Officials said the project will strengthen power reliability for government offices while advancing the country’s transition to renewable energy.
By supplementing grid supply, it is also expected to ease pressure on Malawi’s energy system and support more stable service delivery.
The agreement marks continued cooperation between Malawi and China on infrastructure and development projects.
China has been a key partner in several energy and infrastructure initiatives across Africa, including power generation and transmission projects.
Government officials described the initiative as an investment in clean energy that will lower operational costs and improve resilience to power disruptions.
They said the inclusion of electric vehicle charging aligns with efforts to promote cleaner transport technologies.
Once operational, the Capital Hill Solarisation Project is expected to be one of the largest solar installations powering government operations in Malawi.
Officials say the project could demonstrate the viability of renewable energy in public institutions and encourage wider adoption.
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