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.