Mzuzu – Transforming Energy Access

Mzuzu University

Dr. Chrispin Gogoda

Dr. Chrispin Gogoda, who is the Postgraduate Coordinator in the Department of Energy Systems, has a PhD in Energy and MSc Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Loughborough University, UK in 2022 and 2015, respectively. Chrispin, a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), has a BSc in Renewable Energy Technologies obtained from Mzuzu University. He is currently the Coordinator for the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET) and a lecturer in Energy Systems in the Department of Energy Systems at Mzuzu University. His research interests are in Energy Storage, Solar PV, Hydropower and Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Models. He also leads in several energy consultancies and projects delivered by the TCRET some in collaboration with local and international partners. In addition he has worked in international projects with experience in UK and India.

Dr. Maxon Lexon Chitawo

Dr. Maxon Lexon Chitawo is an experienced Engineer both in technical and administrative fields currently working as Senior Lecturer in Renewable Energy Systems at Mzuzu University. Dr Chitawo has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stellenbosch University in South Africa obtained in 2018. He also has a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom obtained in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic, University of Malawi in 1997. Dr Chitawo, a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), has held several leadership and administrative positions at Mzuzu University. He served as Dean and Deputy Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences before serving as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science Technology and Innovation. He also served as Senate representative to Mzuzu University Council and Coordinator for the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET). Outside Mzuzu University he has also served as Chairperson of Board of Trustees for Community Energy Malawi (CEM) and Deputy Chairperson of the National Energy Working Team. Dr Maxon Chitawo, with publications in different Peer Reviewed Journals, is a researcher in energy focusing on sustainability of energy systems.

Mr. Kondwani Thapasila Gondwe

Mr. Kondwani Thapasila Gondwe is a lecturer in the Department of Energy Systems at Mzuzu University. Kondwani is currently completing a PhD in Community Energy Resilience at Mzuzu University. He holds a Masters in Engineering Science (MEngSc) in Sustainable Energy obtained from University College Cork – Ireland and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malawi. Is a Fellow in Geothermal Engineering (2015) with the United Nations University – Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) of Iceland and Fellow in Energy Modelling with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He teaches renewable energy courses in the Energy Systems Department of Mzuzu University and is a member of the Electrotechnical Committee of the Malawi Bureau of Standards, a member of the International Electrotechnical Committee and a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), He Co-Chairs the Malawi Expert Working Group on Emission Mitigation with the Environmental Affairs Department and is a Board Member of Community Energy Malawi (CEM) under the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP).

Mr. Timeyo Mkamanga Maroyi

Mr. Timeyo Mkamanga Maroyi is a holder of MSc. Renewable Energy from Naresuan University, Thailand. Timeyo, a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), has a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering obtained from University of Malawi. He is currently the Head of Department and a lecturer in the Department of Energy Systems at Mzuzu University. His research interests are in Renewable Energy Systems Design and Solar Thermal Systems. He has also taken part in several energy consultancies and outreach projects delivered by the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET) some in collaboration with local and international partners.

Mr. Vincent Mwale

Mr. Vincent Mwale is a Lecturer in Renewable Energy Technologies in the Department of Energy Systems at Mzuzu University in Malawi. Vincent is currently completing his PhD in Community Energy Resilience at Mzuzu University. He has an MSc in Energy Technology from Mekelle University from Ethiopia and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malawi. Vincent, a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), has over 8 years of experience in the energy sector, 4 years of experience in management, 5 years of experience in engineering construction particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, and over 10 years in the education sector. His teaching and research interests are in energy demand modelling, renewable energy technology development, micro-hydro for livelihoods, sustainability of off-grid energy systems with focus on the promotion of Productive Use of Electricity (PUE), policy and regulatory reforms aimed at supporting the proliferation of mini-grid sustainability, and wind energy technologies.

Ms Chikomo Lavinia

Ms. Chikomo Lavinia lectures Renewable Energy at Mzuzu University. She worked at EneryLab Enterprises Pvt (Ltd) in Zimbabwe supervising the technical aspect of installed Solar Energy and Biogas Energy systems. She worked on projects in renewable energy efficiency and energy audit for a community; as well biogas plants. Chikomo, a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), holds a Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering from University of Zimbabwe, a Bachelor of Technology Honors Degree in Chemical and Process Systems Engineering and a certificate in higher and tertiary education from Harare Institute of Technology in Zimbabwe. She has been involved in middle management work at Hotspeck Enterprises Pvt (Ltd) production sector for electrical installation materials. Chikomo is enthusiastic about renewable energy, chemical and material development, environmental management and appropriate technologies for sustainable living.

Mr Shaibu Ali Juma

Mr Shaibu Ali Juma, is currently pursuing a PhD in Renewable Energy at the University of Dar Es Salaam. He has an MSc. Degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) from Pan Africa University, Institute of Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, Kenya (2018) and a B.Eng. (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of East London (2014). Shaibu, is a registered member of the Malawi Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA), and a Lecturer in Electrical and Power Systems at Mzuzu University under the Department of Energy Systems. Before joining Mzuzu University, he was working as a Tutorial Fellow at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya. His special fields of interests are operations of renewable energy systems, electric power systems, microgrid operations and IoT.

Mr. Isaac Chitedze

With more than 9 years of professional experience in renewable energy systems development and engineering, Mr Isaac Chitedze is a registered Renewable Energy Engineer with the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI); professional member of the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (REIAMA); and a Certified Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA). He holds an MSc in Energy Policy from Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences and Aboubekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen, Algeria, and a BSc in Renewable Energy Technologies from Mzuzu University, Malawi. His skills and previous energy projects undertaking include technical aspects as well as institutional, policy and economical aspects such as techno-economic feasibility studies of energy systems; project management; energy projects engineering design; technical and economic appraisals of energy projects; financial modelling for energy projects, policy evaluation and analysis; broad energy legal framework; energy strategic planning; standard-compliance and regulatory structures; and energy efficiency approaches.