International Development Minister Humza Yousaf has appointed energy expert Joss Blamire to provide advice and support for renewable projects in Malawi.

As energy policy expert, Mr Blamire will help develop the African country's first national renewable energy strategy.

He will also support a Sustainable Energy Management Programme, which guides the activity of the Government of Malawi's Department of Energy, and the development and implementation of a national Sustainable Energy for All Action Plan.

The move fulfils a pledge by Scottish Ministers to support the UN's Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4All).

-- Advertisement --

Mr Yousaf said: "Nearly one in five people around the world do not have access to modern energy services. Twice that number, three billion people, rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating. In today's economy, that's a major barrier to eradicating poverty. The Scottish Government has already helped 80, 000 Malawians access renewable energy, but we want to go further.

"Only 9% of the Malawian population currently has access to electricity, that figure falls to 1% in rural areas. The Scottish Government made a promise to Ban Ki-Moon to deliver on a commitment to second an energy policy expert to the Government of Malawi."

Mr Balmire added: "I hope to build on the successful support the Scottish Government has provided so far and know that my experience in Scotland's world-leading renewables sector over the past eight years gives me the best possible opportunity to do that."

(LM/MH)