Energy experts to discuss hydropower woes, solutions
Energy experts from within Africa and beyond will from this Tuesday converge in Blantyre to share and discuss challenges in power generation and provide solutions faced by hydro electricity generation firms.
Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) senior public relations officer Moses Gwaza said in an interview on Sunday the platform will provide an opportunity for policy makers and technocrats to discuss and map the way forward to deal with power challenges.
He said: “The symposium could not have come at a better time than when Malawi is facing challenges with power generation. With experts in energy from within Africa and beyond notably Croatia, Austria and Germany, among others, we are certain Malawi will learn a thing or two.”
The 29th African Hydro Symposium, being hosted by Egenco, comes at a time Malawi is facing a power supply deficit with hydro-electric power generation capacity reduced from the potential demand of 351 megawatts (MW).
Currently, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) is rationing power due to the shutdown of two units at Kapichira Power Station, leading to a 64.8 megawatts (MW) drop from 129MW the plant produces.
Elsewhere in Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa individuals and firms are also enduring long hours of load shedding, averaging six to 10 hours due to power challenges.
Inadequate power supply has for the past years topped the list of obstacles to doing business in Malawi.
Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has complained that electricity outages have taken a heavy toll on industry, reducing their output.
