Malawians may continue to face persistent electricity shortages unless bureaucratic disputes over energy projects are resolved, the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Corporations, and State Enterprises has warned.
John Jackson Bamusi, Vice Chairperson of the committee, said unclear authority, project disagreements, and financial bottlenecks are stalling major power initiatives, leaving citizens and businesses without reliable electricity.
“The Kamwamba Hydro Power Plant, despite a K5 billion allocation, remains in limbo due to disagreements between the Ministry of Energy and EGENCO over project leadership,” Bamusi said during an oversight meeting with EGENCO officials on Thursday.
Other planned projects, including the 358 MW Mpatamanga Hydro Project and the 100+ MW Chasombo Solar Project, remain largely on paper.
Meanwhile, the Kapichira and Mkula B dams require tens of millions of dollars in urgent rehabilitation.
Financial constraints are compounding the delays. Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) owes EGENCO significant sums, while previous government write-offs, including K67 billion in 2024, have left utilities struggling to invest in infrastructure or spare parts.
Bamusi criticized EGENCO’s marginalised role, describing the utility as “isolated” and “powerless,” while interventions from the Treasury and Ministry continue to slow progress.
He warned that unless responsibilities for authority and funding are clarified, future multi-billion kwacha allocations could yield little improvement in Malawi’s electricity supply.
Ending on a note of cautious optimism, EGENCO CEO William Liabunya told the committee that Malawi could generate 2,000 megawatts by 2040 if planned projects move forward but stressed that external funding and partnerships would be essential.
