Escom bought faulty machines, claims Malawi consumer body

Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) bought fault power generating machines, hence the shutting down of Kapichira II Power Plant prompting power outages in the country,  claimed the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama).

The country sole electricity provider has shut down the power plant to service two machines which were commissioned on December 27, 2013.

In March this year, the Corporation also closed the same power plant for 28 days to repair the same shaft seal machine following its leaking.

“We suspect they bought faulty machines and this not healthy to the country’s economy. Malawians also being charged highly for the services which are not reliable,” John Kapito, Cama Executive Director claimed in an interview with a local radio.

But the utility has since requested its customers to be calm as it starts servicing two machines at Kapichira II power plant  which provide 32 Megawatts.

The two machines which were commissioned on December 27, 2013 need to undergo maintenance before the defects liability period wraps up, according to Escom Director of Distribution and Customer Services, Peter Mtonda.

“One machine will operate at a time while the other is switched off, meaning there will be 32 megawatts only at a time beginning fromOctober 10 to 27,” Mtonda said.

Some of the major defects are shaft seal, cooling water piping and machine turbine control panels.

“Considering the negative impact the outage could have on our customers, the Corporation initiated negotiations with the contractor to explore possibilities of reducing the outage period and hence the settling for 17 days,” said Mtonda.

“Before the warrant period close we agreed that any defect will be the responsibility of the contractor, hence the servicing,” he emphasised.

Escom bought the two power generating machines at $55 million and are currently under a warrant period of one year.