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Dr. Maxon Lexon Chitawo

HomeEnergy Systems EngineeringDr. Maxon Lexon Chitawo
Senior Lecturer, TCRET Coordinator

Dr. Maxon Lexon Chitawo

Dr Maxon Lexon Chitawo is an experienced Engineer in both technical and administrative fields. He is currently working as Senior Lecturer in Energy Systems Engineering, TCRET Coordinator, Team Leader of Bioenergy Research Group and Module Coordinator for Nuclear Power in the Master of Science in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering Programme. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering obtained in 2018 from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Technology obtained in 2008 from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering obtained in 1997 from University of Malawi – The Polytechnic. Dr Maxon Chitawo has 29 years of work experience in both private and public sectors in Malawi with 24 of these working on energy systems in both renewables and fossil fuels. He worked for the then Mobil Oil as Operations Assistant from 1996 before joining the Civil Service as Press Mechanical Engineer in 2001. He joined Mzuzu University in 2004 as Training Engineer for the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET) in the Department of Energy Systems. He held the position of TCRET Coordinator from April 2006 to February 2023 before joining the Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) as Director of Operations (March 2023) where he rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer in April 2025. Dr Maxon Chitawo has held several leadership and administrative positions while working in the institutions that he has worked for. He worked as a Lead Engineer for setting up the Lilongwe Government Press Workshop in 2003/2004, served as Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2011 to 2014, Deputy Dean from 2008 to 2011. He was a Member of Mzuzu University Council representing Senate from 2011 to 2014; Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Community Energy Malawi (CEM) from 2011 to 2013 and Deputy Chairperson of the National Energy Working Team that worked on initiating energy projects to increase electricity generation capacity in Malawi from 2009 to 2012. Dr Chitawo served as Deputy Dean of Faculty of Science Technology and Innovation from April 2021 to February 2023 before joining EGENCO.
Email Address

chitawo.m@mzuni.ac.mw

Location

Main Campus

Department(s)

Research Interests
  • Bioenergy systems (Biomass and Biofuels) development and sustainability.
  • Renewable energy systems grid integration.
  • Just Energy Transition.
  • Evidence for informing optimization and scaling of youth and women led clean energy enterprises and business models project targets four countries- Kenya,
    Malawi, Uganda & South Africa.
  • Community Energy and Sustainable Energy Transitions in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique.
  • Promotion of distributed energy systems development for expansion of electricity access for productive use in Malawi.
  • Assessment of geothermal energy development and utilisation in Malawi.
  1. Shenga C.; Howe L.; Baptista I.; Bekele G.; Chitawo ML.; Regulating Community Energy at the National Level Comparing Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique. Book Chapter.
  2. Hara C.; Gogoda C.; Chitawo ML.; Pioneering Community Energy for Development in Malawi, Book Chapter.
  3. Zalengera C.; Chitawo M.L.; Chitedze I.; To L.S.; Mwale V.; Gondwe K.T.; Maroyi T. (2021) Unbending the Winding Path of a Low-Income Country’s Energy Sector amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from Malawi. Energies, 14, 7184. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217184
  4. Chidya R., Munthali A., Chitedze I., & Chitawo M.L., (2020). Design and Efficacy of Solar Disinfection System for Improved Rural Household Water Treatment. ournal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d8.0369
  5. Chitawo M.L. Chimphango, A.F.A., Peterson S. (2018). Modelling sustainability of primary forest residues-based bioenergy systems. Biomass and Bioenergy, 108, pp90-100
  6. Chitawo, M.L., Chimphango, A.F.A. (2017). A synergetic integration of bioenergy and rice production in rice farms, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 75, Elsevier, London. pp: 58-67
  7. Chitawo M.L., Chimphango, A.F.A.., Peterson, S.O. (2017). A systems approach deployment strategy of rice residues-based bioenergy systems in rice farms. Proceedings: 5th Annual System Dynamics Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, November27 – 28, 2017.
  8. Mlowa TK.; Chitawo ML.; Kasulo V.; Policy Analysis on Clean Cooking in Malawi: Case of Improved Cookstoves. E3S Web of Conferences 487, 02003 (2024) ICREE 2023.
  9. Chitawo M.L. Chimphango A.F.A. Petersen S. 2017. Modelling sustainability of primary forest residues-based bioenergy system. Presented at the 60th World System Dynamics conference, Massachusetts, USA. Abstract available at http://www.systemdynamics.org/conferences/2017/proceed/index.html
  10. Chimphango A.F.A., Chitawo M.L., Padi R.K. Sustainable integration of bioenergy and food systems that benefit the resource-poor in rural communities. Presented at the International Bioenergy Conference, March 22-23, 2017, SUPPERGEN Hub, Manchester, United Kingdom. Abstract available at: http://www.supergen-net/conference/posters-(41-62)/
  11. Chitawo M.L., Chimphango, A.F.A.., Peterson, S.O. (2016). Systems approach model for sustainable production of bioenergy from primary forest residues from Viphya plantations in Malawi. Proceedings: 4th Annual System Dynamics Conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa, November17 – 18, 2016.
  12. Zalengera C.; Blanchard, R.E.; Eames, P.C. Juma, A.M.; Chitawo M.L.; Gondwe, K.T. (2014) Overview of the Malawi Energy Situation and a PESTLE Analysis for Sustainable Renewable Energy Development, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 38, Elsevier, London. pp: 345-347.
  • From UKAid through University of Hull for technical assistance in the Feasibility assessment of the potential of geothermal energy to enhance economic development, health and well-being in Malawi
  • From British High Commission in Malawi for promotion of biogas generation at household level in northern Malawi.
  • From NCST for feasibility study of institutional biogas digester at Mzuzu prison.
  • From UNDP for Solar resource assessment and site assessments for solar feasibility and design and sizing of the PV mini-grid systems in Malawi.