A hub for facilitating knowledge exchange between international development partner countries and the Scottish renewables sector, has formalised partnerships in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda.

The SG Global Renewables Centre (GRC), hosted online at the University of Strathclyde and funded by the Scottish government, offers networking, shared learning, and resources that enhance global citizenship and enables increased deployment of sustainable energy. 

Strathclyde’s new partners are the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), the Zambia Renewable Energy Association (ZARENA) and the Energy Private Developer’s Association (EPD) in the government’s three African international development partner countries.

Damien Frame, GRC Programme Manager at Strathclyde, said: 
“Engagement with stakeholders in Scotland, Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda has been extremely positive. 

“There is common recognition of the urgent need to accelerate energy access and our mapping identified clear opportunities for shared learning between all four countries, each bringing unique areas of experience and expertise.”

SG Energy Secretary Neil Gray said: 
“Ensuring we develop a global energy system that provides affordable, reliable, and clean energy for everyone is vitally important so that we can capitalise on the economic and social benefits that our renewable energy capabilities can provide.
“Scotland has an important role to play in the global energy transition – not just in the production of renewable energy, but in sharing skills, knowledge and innovation to help accelerate the energy transition both at home and further afield.

“We also recognise the importance of continuing to be a good global citizen and contributing to sustainable international development in partner countries, such as access to clean energy.

“I look forward to these partnerships between Scotland, Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda supporting the continuing growth of renewable energy, and the multiple benefits it provides.” 

The organisations in each country will design and deliver a series of in-person and virtual knowledge exchange events in collaboration with the University.

Serge Wilson Muhuzi, Chief Executive Officer of EPD, said: 
“Our commitment to accelerating energy access aligns perfectly with the shared goals of this initiative, and we look forward to leveraging our expertise to drive impactful change within our community.”

Chairman of ZARENA, Joseph Mutale, said:
“We are delighted and very excited to be part of this initiative, which is consistent with ZARENA’s objective of fostering capacity building, knowledge sharing through networking in support of delivering a transformative impact on the roll out of sustainable renewable energy solutions in Zambia.”

Soustain Chigalu, President of REIAMA, said: 
“Renewable energy access plays a pivotal role to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, and achieving universal access for the people of Malawi by 2030. The GRC is a timely intervention to promote north-south and south to south knowledge exchange in promoting clean energy access, innovations and climate change adaptation and mitigation”.

A fundamental principle of the GRC is to be led by partner country priorities and operate a decentralised model, and Professor Stuart Galloway, Academic lead for the project, said: 
“These new partnerships deliver on that commitment and provide a platform for us to accelerate our contribution.”