In Malawi, where electricity access is scarce and firewood and charcoal dominate as cooking fuels, 265 Energy Limited is spearheading a green energy revolution.
Established in 2018 by visionary Malawians, the company’s name proudly reflects its roots, incorporating Malawi’s country code, +265, into its identity. 265 Energy Limited has made remarkable progress in the energy sector by introducing alternative energy solutions, primarily liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and solar energy systems, to reduce the country’s dependence on traditional biomass fuels. With support from the Green Economic Transition Facility (GETF), the company has successfully expanded its operations, expanding to Mzuzu and aiming to reach 24,000 consumers in the next two years.
The driving force behind 265 Energy Limited’s formation was the recognition of an urgent need for alternative energy solutions in Malawi. The country’s dependence on firewood and charcoal for cooking has had devastating environmental consequences, including deforestation and environmental degradation.
Philip White, the Business Development Manager of 265 Energy Limited, highlights the critical importance of their mission: “We have spoken for a while that we should stop using firewood and charcoal, but then there were no best alternatives. What could people use? Because not everyone uses electricity anyway. Besides, access to electricity is low in this country.”
With this challenge in mind, 265 Energy Limited set out to provide affordable and accessible alternatives through LPG and solar energy products. Their goal is not just to offer these products but to create a significant shift in how Malawians approach energy consumption.
“Our main aim is to save the environment by providing alternative sources of energy that are affordable,” White emphasised.
However, introducing a new energy source like LPG in a country where misconceptions and fears surrounding gas usage are widespread is no small feat. White acknowledges this challenge, stating, “One way of getting everyone on board is to conduct awareness campaigns because there are so many misconceptions out there. We have a lot of people who are scared of gas.”
To address these fears, 265 Energy Limited has invested heavily in awareness campaigns across various media platforms, including radio, television and social media. These efforts are paying off, with more households beginning to embrace LPG as a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuels. The company’s awareness campaigns aim to educate the public on the environmental benefits of switching to gas, safety concerns and long-term cost savings for households.
One of the key moments in the evolution of 265 Energy Limited was the receipt of grant funding from GETF in 2023. This support has enabled the company to expand its operations beyond the major cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre, reaching new regions such as Mzuzu.
“GETF has helped us open in Mzuzu. We couldn’t have done that without GETF,” White acknowledged.
The expansion into Mzuzu marks a significant milestone for 265 Energy Limited, as it brings their services closer to more communities in need of sustainable energy solutions. The grant has also allowed the company to increase its supply of LPG cylinders, bringing in over 6,000 affordable cylinders for distribution across the country. This expansion ensures that more households can access the benefits of gas cooking, reducing their reliance on environmentally harmful fuels.
Beyond the expansion, the GETF funding has helped 265 Energy Limited address critical supply chain challenges that have hindered the consistent availability of gas in the past.
White explained: “We’ve had cut-downs in gas supply, which is really a big challenge because you’d come here and there’s no gas. And then you’d be like, I can’t wait for you. I’ll go somewhere else.”
The grant has enabled 265 Energy Limited to establish a more reliable gas supply chain, ensuring that households do not revert to using charcoal when gas is unavailable. This consistency is crucial in maintaining the momentum towards widespread adoption of LPG across the country.
Affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of LPG in Malawi. To address this, 265 Energy Limited has made significant strides in reducing the cost of LPG cylinders.
The company’s commitment to making LPG accessible to all Malawians is evident in their efforts to lower prices and offer complete packages, including a cylinder, gas and a cooker (all for K35,000), to ensure that households can start cooking with gas immediately.
“We are the only Malawian company that brought in their own blended cylinders which we’re selling at K35,000. That was almost impossible at the time because the original price was K70,000,” White shared.
Despite these efforts, the perception of gas as an expensive alternative compared to charcoal remains a challenge. However, 265 Energy Limited is determined to change this mindset by highlighting the long-term savings that come with using gas over traditional fuels.
As 265 Energy Limited continues to expand its reach, the company is optimistic about the future. Their goal is to switch not less than 24,000 consumers to gas within the next 24 months, a significant step towards reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable energy use in Malawi.
The support from GETF has been instrumental in positioning 265 Energy Limited as a leader in the country’s energy transition. Looking ahead, White is confident that the company’s efforts align with Malawi’s broader development goals, including Agenda 2063.
“Our five years are looking good and promising for Malawians, as well as even aligning with Agenda 2063,” he noted.
