Chakwera Commissions solar power plant in Salima
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has commissioned a 60 megawatt Salima Solar, a project that will give an additional 20 per cent energy to
the country’s national grid.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Monday, Chakwera observed that the plant is the first solar photovoltaic to connect to the
national grid and a blue print for future projects in Malawi.
“This solar plant is a clean energy and a model for the green future our country want,” he said.
He said the project has demonstrated that Malawi is an attractive and peaceful destination for private sector investment in the energy
sector.
According to him, the plant is a potent symbol and the commitment to build a new Malawi of access to clean and affordable energy.
The President recently participated in the launch of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet whose aim is to promote universal
access to clean and affordable energy.
He however bemoaned the slowness of governance system in the country.
“Malawi cannot afford to have systems that take eight years for a project to move from conception to completion,” he said.
In his remarks, JCM Solar Company Chief Executive Officer, Christian Wray, said the plant, which has 228,000 solar panels, will reduce
reliance on fossil fuel imports and associated carbon emissions.
“The plant will improve the reliability of electricity to homes and business in Malawi,” he said.
The project, the first in Sub Saharan Africa, he said, has been developed to international standards of health, safety and governance.
Former President Peter Mutharika set the project in motion through a ground breaking exercise in December 2018 where he promised that a range of energy mix and private sector participation in power generation was the only solution to ending power blackouts.
However, similar project with 20megawatts is being carried out in Golomoti, Dedza.
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This is a very good development, the way to go. As a country we need to have a number of such solar plants as well as wind generated electricity.
On the other hand it is good that the president has commisssioned a project which his predecesor set in motion, this is what development is supposed to be, no one should get political praise for something that is national, one can start and the other to see it materialize. God bless Malawi
Will this result in cheaper ESCOM electricity bills? Now you are not spending money on expensive hydro-electric plant maintenance. Solar plants last a long time with little maintenance. Please make our electricity units cheaper!