Electricity generation down by 43 percent

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) says hydro-electric power generation has dropped by 43 percent to slightly over 200 megawatts, due to the low water levels in the Shire River.

The development has created a deficit of close to 150 megawatts as the current energy generation capacity is pegged at 351 megawatts.

Escom Regional Manager for the South, David Mbewe, said currently the electricity supplier is working on modalities to ensure that the power outage problems are eased.

“The water flow in Shire River where we have our [power] generation plants at Nkula, Tedzani and Kapichira is very low and because of that we are unable to produces about 351 megawatts and we are now only able to generate slightly over 200 megawatts,” confirmed Mbewe.

Persistent power outages in the country have continued to bring both business and domestic activities to a standstill.

Recently, Escom warned that present low water levels in Shire River, will negatively impact hydro electric power generation.

The drop in power supply puts increased pressure on Escom which is left with no option but to ration the available limited power.

With installed power supply now pegged at around 351 megawatts and demand pegged at 360 megawatts, Malawi has over the years been solely dependent on hydro energy.

Meanwhile, government talks with independent power producers as a long term remedy are yet to bear tangible fruits.

“The other players would be able to generate 568 megawatts once the agreements are done with the independent power producers,” said Mbewe.

Statistics shows that Malawi energy generation requirement will escalate to 829 megawatts by 2020.