Chakwera to launch power interconnector

President Lazarus Chakwera will launch the Mozambique-Malawi Power Interconnector project in Tete Province, Mozambique during his four-day State visit.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Tuesday evening that the President leaves for a  visit to Mozambique from today to Sunday.

During the visit, Chakwera will also hold bilateral talks with his Mozambican counterpart, Filipe Nyusi.

Reads the statement: “During the [State] visit, the President is expected to preside over the launch of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector in Tete, visit the port of Nacala and hold bilateral talks with the President of the Republic of Mozambique in Maputo.”

The Mozambique-Malawi Power Interconnector’s main undertaking includes construction of a 218-kilometre high voltage transmission line between Matambo in Tete Province and Phombeya in Balaka District, Malawi.

The power interconnector is expected to improve Malawi’s electricity supply.

Malawi is facing unprecedented blackouts following damage at Kaphichira Power Station caused by floods induced by Tropical Storm Ana in January.

Electricity Generation Company supplies 442 megawatts (MW) to the national grid from both hydro and diesel sources. But in the absence of Kapichira Power Station, about 312MW is being generated.

The power interconnector is expected to promote regional cooperation and integration by expanding the regional power transmission network in accordance with objectives of the Southern Africa Power Pool.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Saulos Chilima is also scheduled to travel to the United States (US) tomorrow to attend the United Nations Economic and Social Council Forum for Financing Development.

While in the US, Chilima is expected to meet the current chairperson of the forum besides holding several meetings with the acting representative of the Office of Least Developed Countries and the United Nations Development global administrator.

The Vice-President will also deliver a keynote statement at a High Level Leaders Dialogue on Green Climate Resilience Bonds organised by the United Nations Capital Development Fund.