Mota Engil to boost Malawi electricity

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Bright Msaka

As the country is experiencing persistent blackouts, Mota Engil has disclosed plans to generate 500 megawatts using hydro and coal power plants.

During the 2016 Malawi Investment Forum currently underway in Lilongwe, Mota Engil signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malawi government on the new interest to the energy sector.

The deal that has been signed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) is set to begin in 2018 and take a period of ten years after which the whole 500 megawatts will be realized.

Bright Msaka
Bright Msaka (L) sealing the agreement with an official from Mota Engil.

It is expected that the 500 megawatts, once generated, will be sold to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and added to the national grid.

Government of Malawi and the company are now conducting feasibility studies to see where they can build the coal and hydro power plants.

China and United Kingdom have also given hope to the country with 1800 megawatts electricity generation once fully operational.

Speaking during the opening of the forum, Malawi Investment Trade Centre (MITC) chief executive officer Clement Kumbemba assured Malawians that by 2018 the country will not have power cuts.

He added that his organization is ensuring that trade and investment issues are handled efficiently, timely, and in full adherence of regional and global standards. Meanwhile, Malawians are to take it as normal having persistent power interruption as water levels in Shire River are near the bottom.