By Rahim Abdul
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has announced plans to connect 235,000 households to electricity over the next five years through a new initiative known as the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transmission (ASCENT) project.
The power utility says the programme is aimed at expanding access to reliable and clean electricity, particularly in areas that are currently not connected to the national grid.
In a statement released on the project, ESCOM highlighted its recent achievements under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP), which ended in December last year.
According to the statement, ESCOM successfully connected 191,000 households to electricity through MEAP, surpassing its initial target of 180,000 connections.
The corporation described the achievement as a significant milestone in efforts to improve electricity access and support socio economic development across the country.
ESCOM further noted that the success of MEAP has provided a strong foundation for the rollout of the ASCENT project.
The first phase of the ASCENT project is expected to commence in February this year, with implementation activities already at an advanced planning stage.
The utility indicated that the project is projected to reach its peak implementation phase in May, marking a critical period for network expansion works.
ESCOM believes the project will play a key role in supporting small businesses, improving service delivery, and enhancing the quality of life for many Malawians.
The World Bank is providing financial and technical support for the ASCENT project, underscoring international confidence in Malawi’s energy sector reforms and development agenda.