Civil society groups push for improvements to Malawi’s electricity supply

A consortium of civil society organisations (CSOs), led by MaBLEM and the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), says there is growing commitment within the energy sector to address Malawi’s electricity supply challenges.

The consortium says it is engaging authorities to identify and address challenges contributing to the country’s power deficit, which currently stands at about 100 megawatts, particularly during peak hours.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, HRCC Board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said engagements with the Ministry of Energy had identified three major challenges affecting electricity generation: technical issues, financial constraints and maintenance problems.

Mkwezalamba, however, said the CSOs had received positive indications from the authorities that steps were being taken to address the challenges.

According to him, maintenance equipment is expected to arrive in the country between September and October, with maintenance works expected to improve the performance of generating units and increase electricity supply by December.

“There has been negligence in maintenance works during the past years, and through our engagement they have assured us of huge progress in maintenance and that by December load shedding will be reduced,” Mkwezalamba said.

He said the energy sector, through the Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO), is also making progress in procuring additional generators, which are expected to boost electricity generation and ultimately improve supply through the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM).

Mkwezalamba said Malawi needs to significantly increase its generation capacity to meet growing demand for electricity and support economic development.

“The expectation is that this country should produce at least 1,000 megawatts. Currently, the country is producing less than 500 megawatts, so we are appealing that all staff at EGENCO and ESCOM should hold hands and work diligently to achieve the goals,” he said.

The CSOs’ engagement comes amid continued concerns over electricity reliability, with power shortages affecting households, businesses and other institutions.

Mkwezalamba said the consortium would continue engaging the authorities to monitor progress and ensure that commitments made in the energy sector translate into tangible improvements in electricity supply.

The CSOs are therefore calling for sustained cooperation among government agencies and energy-sector institutions to address technical, financial and maintenance challenges and improve Malawi’s generation capacity.