By Burnett Munthali
Electricity consumers across Malawi are facing continued power disruptions after a 42-megawatt generation deficit pushed the country’s evening peak shortfall to as high as 83MW.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) said available generation capacity currently stands at 347MW, against national peak demand of approximately 430MW.
The utility warned that the supply situation is likely to remain unstable until several damaged or constrained generation units are restored.
At Nkula B, Unit 6, which has a capacity of 20MW, suffered a major failure on August 7. The damaged components must be removed and transported to South Africa for specialised reconditioning, with restoration expected by early October.
The failure has also affected the integration of a recently commissioned 10MW Egenco Solar PV facility, further worsening the amount of electricity available to consumers.
Generation at Nkula A is also operating below capacity because of worn shaft seals. The problem has reduced output by about 11.1MW, while replacement parts are expected by the end of August. Repairs are expected to be completed by mid-September.
The Electricity Generation Company of Malawi (Egenco) is consequently under pressure to restore damaged equipment while responding to rapidly increasing demand for electricity.
Egenco spokesperson Moses Gwaza previously acknowledged the challenge, saying Malawi needs to accelerate investment in new generation capacity if the country is to meet both present and future electricity requirements.
He also called for dedicated financing mechanisms to support new power-generation projects, arguing that expanding distribution networks and electrification without a corresponding increase in generation capacity will not adequately address the country’s electricity needs.
The shortage comes against a backdrop of limited national electricity access. Only about 25.9 percent of Malawi’s population currently has access to electricity through grid and off-grid connections, well below the government’s target of reaching 70 percent access by 2030.
According to Escom data, Malawi has an installed generation capacity of approximately 564.2MW, comprising 401.8MW from hydroelectric sources, 51.4MW from diesel generation and 111MW from solar power supplied by Egenco and other operators.
The latest generation failures highlight the vulnerability of Malawi’s power system and the urgent need for investment in reliable generation, maintenance and diversification of energy sources.
