Egenco signs Likoma-Chizumulu 1.3MW power contract

Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (Egenco) has signed a contract with NR Electric Company of China to design, supply, install and commission 1.3 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power on Likoma and Chizumulu islands.

Speaking during the signing in Blantyre on Monday, the company’s chief executive officer William Liabunya said the contractor will soon start mobilising equipment to start the works.

“As you are aware, we generate electricity at the two islands using diesel. Apart from the fact that diesel is expensive, the logistics of getting fuel to the islands is also challenging,” he said

Liabunya said Egenco spends a lot of money on fuel to generate power on the two islands, but the return on the investment is negative.

“This is not sustainable. We are generating and supplying power at the islands as a social responsibility,” he said.

NR Electric Company sales manager for Africa David Tu said the firm will start work within two weeks from the day of signing the contract.

Earlier, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) chief executive officer Collins Magalasi said with 99 percent of electricity generation coming from Shire River, diversification of power sources is key. “This is why we are focusing on other sources of power,” he said.