Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola has said the government expects disruptions that business suffered due to power outages to be reduced as Energy Generation Company(Egenco) has restored 97.2megawatts(mw) of electricity from three out of four power generating machines at Kapichira hydro power plant.
”We are hopeful that soon, the fourth power generating machine will be operational,” he said.
His sentiments come at a time people in the country have been enduring blackouts lasting between eight and 10 hours, a problem exacerbated by the damage suffered by Kapichira after Tropical Cyclone Ana made landfall into Malawi between January 23 to 27 last year.
Matola, who was accompanied by Egenco and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi officials, said this in Lilongwe yesterday, when public officials took part in the Government Faces The Press programme.
He said what is being generated now is enough for both industry and domestic use.
”My ministry will be engaging the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure that the Shire River catchment area is safeguarded to ensure that water for power generation is not disturbed.
”The coming back into service of three machines at Kapichira is a positive development for the country,” he said.
Matola has since disclosed that the 21mw Serengeti Solar Power Plant in Nkhotakota District is in its Final stage of testing.
However, the minister said Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which made landfall into Malawi on March 11 this year, has destroyed the Mulanje Cedar power generation plant, culminating in the loss of 3.2mw.
Source: The Daily Times_April 14, 2023_By Emmanuel Simpokolwe