Minister hails MCC five-year energy compact
Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining has hailed the implementation of the $350.7 million (about K257 billion) five-year energy compact supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States of America (USA) Government agency.
work: Masi
In an interview on Friday, the minister responsible Aggrey Masi said since the governments of Malawi and USA signed the compact agreement in 2013, which wound up on September 20 this year, the implementation of the work has been commendable.
“The compact comprised three main projects, which are the infrastructure development, power sector reform and environment and natural resources project,” he said.
Among other projects, $252 million (about K185 billion) was invested in infrastructure development which included upgrading of the power grid and increasing its capacity from 260 megawatts (MW) to 960MW.
Masi said the compact also invested about $26 million (about K19 billion) into power sector reforms to improve the financial and operational performance of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).
About $25 million (about K18 billion) was invested in environment and natural resources management along the Shire River, the main source of hydro-electric power generation.
MCC deputy chief of mission, Andrew Herrup thanked the Malawi Government for partnering with the US Government on the energy compact.
“We will make sure that the yet -to-be completed reforms are achieved in the years to come,” he said in an interview.
