Malawi blackout warning for Easter long weekend – Escom
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has issued a warning that Malawians will have a feast of Eeaster this coming weekend in the dark as there will be blackout following maintenance works they will carry out on its power generation machines.
Escom said in a statement that the nation will go dark during Easter weekend as Escom will undertake crucial planned maintenance works at Nkula, Kapichira and Wovwe hydro-power stations from 10pm this Wednesday to 6pm on March 28.
“During this [Easter] time, demand for electricity is lower due to the shutting down of most industries,” said Escom in a statement issued by its public relations officer George Mituka
Escom said Nkula Power Stations A and B will be taken out of service continuously from 10pm on Thursday 24th March 2016 to 6pm on Saturday 26th March 2016 to undertake planned maintenance works on intake structures, machines underwater parts and auxiliary equipment.
“This will result in the country’s generation capacity being reduced by 124 megawatts [MW], thereby necessitating increased power rationing throughout the country,” reads the statement.
It further said Kapichira Hydro Power Station will be shut down from 5am to 6pm on Sunday and Monday for maintenance works, including scouring and inspecting of dam embankments.
Escom said Wovwe Power Station will be shut down from 7am to 5pm each day during the period from March 25 to March 27 2016 for preventive maintenance and dredging of the intake pond.
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Not surprised
This problem of roadsheding, we are having 8 months now with shortage of power in our country Zambia
I remember most of the forests were destroyed during Kamuzu. This time he allowed the establishment of tobacco farms. In Kasungu for example, huge estates mushroomed like General Farming Ltd, KFCTA (Kasungu Flue Cured Tobacco Authority), etc. destroyed alot.
Its just unfortunate that Escom concentrate most of the time on one factor when giving out their reasons of shutting down the machines, thus, industries (those having huge machines). But its high time for them now to consider that there are different segments of industries in which some they operate during those public holidies, we talk of hotels, restaurants, motels, hospitals, pvt clinics…etc. They actually use electricity most, holding constant the fact that some owns genesets. Ndiwo zionongeka mma refrigerator umo, ma operation sapangidwa affects specially ma big pvt hospitals…think of uncertainties that can occur in depending only the genesets,… Read more »
Its just unfortunate that Escom concentrate most of the time on one factor when giving out their reasons of shutting down the machines, thus, industries (those having huge machines). But its high time for them now to consider that there are different segments of industries in which some they operate during those public holidies, we talk of hotels, restaurants, motels, hospitals, pvt clinics…etc. They actually use electricity most, holding constant the fact that some owns genesets. Ndiwo zionongeka mma refrigerator umo, ma operation sapangidwa affects specially ma big pvt hospitals…think of uncertainties that can occur in depending only the genesets,… Read more »
Peter walephera boma lamunyera.Why is ESCOM decampaining you.Where were they during all the days ,why easter holiday.
Bvuto amalawi taononga chilengedwe nthawi ya angwazi magesi samazima Koma tabwela cheuje anayamba
Sparrow Boy Oyimba Wanyuwani Kanyamata Kazaka Zochepa Komabe Ndimangomveka
Koma Ayescomu Matamaaa Ati Chaniiii Aaaaaaa Mumatonyadaaaa
like here in zambia we have facing this problem for about 8 months now. We ar in black out.