Addressing Challenges in Delivering Sustainable Rural Water Provision Using Solar Water Pumping in Malawi: A Stakeholder Analysis

Esther Phiri, Paul N. Rowley and Richard E. Blanchard ()
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Esther Phiri: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Malawi, Polytechnic, P/Bag 303, Blantyre P.O. Box 280, Malawi
Paul N. Rowley: Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Richard E. Blanchard: Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-22

Abstract: Despite the presence of relatively high insolation, solar photovoltaic water pumping (SWP) is rarely used for water provision in Malawi. Current methods of water abstraction are labour-intensive and have low discharge rates. A stakeholder analysis was carried out to evaluate the role, responsibilities, and challenges faced by individuals, communities, and organisations involved in developing SWP systems. Analysis of data collected via semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from government departments, public and private organisations, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, and microfinance organisations shows that the national government should provide an enabling environment for other actors to deliver SWP projects. Further, this study reveals diverse interlinked challenges in delivering sustainable water and energy services related to policies, monitoring, coordination, financing, human resources, information and awareness, stakeholder malfeasance, political interference, and flawed community management. The impacts of these challenges result in inadequate water service provision resulting from access inequality, non-functionality, substandard installations, reliance on donations, substandard renewable energy products, and slow technology uptake. The results of this study imply that, given appropriate finance and management frameworks, effective coordination, enforcement of product and installation standards, and awareness and sensitisation of communities to SWP, significantly improved access to drinking and irrigation water for the rural population of Malawi and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa can be achieved.

Keywords: rural Malawi; sustainable water challenges; solar photovoltaic water pumping; stakeholder analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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