Study of Hotplate & Grid Use in Rural Malawi

The Access to Energy Institute (A2EI) has been part of a feasibility study to pave the way for mass distribution of electric hotplates to rural households in Malawi. This is one of many data collection activities by A2EI in the clean cooking sector, which comprise of more than 1,000 smart meters in Asia, Africa and South America. The data collected by A2EI will make it easier to understand the underlying behaviors and drivers that would benefit the quality of life and health of millions of people.

The study of hotplate and grid use in rural Malawi is led by the non-profit climate protection organization Atmosfair together with the mini-grid operator Mulanje Electricity Generation Agency (MEGA) and Mulanje Renewable Energy Agency (MuREA). On the scientific side, researchers from the University of Strathclyde under UK Aid’s Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) program have been involved as well.

A2EI provided 20 households with two smart meters each. One was connected to the grid and the second one was connected to a 1,500 W hotplate. Via the smart meters, the hotplate’s energy usage was monitored over a time span of four months from March to July 2021. The data collection part of the study has now been concluded and the distribution of electric hotplates that fit the needs of the participating households is about to begin. This next part of the study builds upon the lessons learned through the detailed analysis of our smart meter data and a couple of complementing surveys.

As the new hotplates arrive in Malawi, we are preparing to resume the data collection activities and support our partners in their analysis to verify the findings from the first part of the study.

Download the summary & learnings from the first stage of the study here.

Access the data release here.