Malawi to face more blackouts this year

Apr 06, 2016 Politics 96
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Malawi24
ESCOM.

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) says Malawians should expect more power cuts following the dry spell Malawi has experienced this year.

According to Escom board chairperson Jean Mathanga, the rains this growing season have been insufficient to enable the corporation produce much needed electricity hence there will be more blackouts.

She said the organization generates electricity of 351 megawatts when water levels are at of 260 cubic meters annually, but admitted that this will be impossible this year with the dry spell that has hit the country.

ESCOM.“The water levels in Shire River are very low you can imagine we need over 260 cubic meters but as of now the water has not even reached 200 cubic meters and as time goes by, they will completely be dry and that only tells us that there will be problems,” said Mathanga.

Meanwhile, Mathanga said they are through with discussions which they had with some foreign companies that have shown interest to be supplying solar power in the country.

She said people should fear nothing since they have agreed with four companies and two of them will start generating electricity in the coming two months.

Mathanga added that government also has plans to be generating electricity from coal and to be buying electricity from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Zambia.