Maintenance work at Nkula B hydro power station will not end persistent blackouts because water levels are still low, Electricity Generation Company. (Egenco) has said. In an interview on Monday, Egenco spokesperson Moses Gwaza said the maintenance works, expected to end yesterday, will not improve power supply because water levels in Shire River are still low.
He said: “The maintenance work will not improve the situation because we are just replacing spare parts.” Egenco was yesterday expected to finish dismantling and removing the old main inlet valve (MIV) and replace with the one procured at1.1 million euro (about K888 million)
Consumer association of Malawi (Cama) executive director John Kapito said in a telephone interview the Egenco’s lack of clear explaination on power supply is not helping consumers gauge when the problems will end.
He said: “We have been having mixed statements surrounding blackouts. One time we hear about low water levels and at another time we hear about spare parts. We need the truth on energy so as to make proper plans.”
Governement is working on the Kam’mwamba coal fired project to supplement hydro power supply. Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining spokesperson Saidi Banda is in a record as having said the project is expected to finish within three years from when it rolls out in December this year. This means consumers in Malawi should hope for for reliable electricity beyond 2021. The Kam’mwamba project will be financed by a loan from Export and Import (Exim) Bank of China to the tune of $667 million.