Factors Influencing the Potential of Biogas usage in Thyolo District, Malawi

Most households in developing countries rely on firewood or charcoal as their primary source of fuel for cooking and heating due to under development of alternative fuel sources. The aim of this study is to analyse factors influencing the potential of biogas energy use as an alternative energy source. The study employed a mixed method research design to establish whether political, economic, social-cultural and technical factors, have any influence on the use of biogas as an alternative energy source in one of the areas of southern Malawi. Findings showed a significantly high potential (p<0.05) of using biogas with over 66%. Results further showed that social cultural, political, economic and technical factors did not significantly influence the use of biogas as an energy source in the area (p>0.05). The study nevertheless, showed that other factors such as failure of existing digesters, high initial investment costs and lack of awareness of the biogas technology do play a role in influencing the potential of using biogas in the area. Education and awareness programs should therefore, be intensified in order to sensitize the communities about biogas technology usage, its advantages as well as repairing of the non-functioning digesters. It is also recommended that more studies should be conducted to establish the extent of the availability of technical expertise and non-functioning digesters within the area.