Construction of 350MW Mpatamanga Power plant to start in 2022.

By Nelson Gonjani

Malawi’s Electricity Generation Company [EGENCO] says construction of the Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Plant on Shire River will start in early 2022.

Senior Public Relations Officer for EGENCO Moses Gwaza says the power utility in coordination with the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) is currently working on identifying a private strategic partner for the project which will be implemented in a public private partnership (PPP) mode.

“As part of the financing for the project will come from World Bank, the Bank has their own procedures which are progressing in parallel with the strategic partner identification process,” he says.

Gwaza says EGENCO is determined to continue with the project though the coronavirus (Covid -19) pandemic is affecting some ongoing processes.

“We will of course implement Covid-19 prevention measures as well as the safety measures of the projects of this magnitude. Since at this stage most of the processes are negotiations, these are continuing on virtual modes,” he says.

The PPPC announced in June this year that it had prequalified a consortium comprising SN Power Invest Netherlands B.V and Electrite De France SA (SN Power and EDF SA) as a strategic investor for the project.

Gwaza dismisses fears that participation of international private investors in Mpatamanga will translate to higher cost of electricity in Malawi as the investors will be looking for profits.

He says: “Ideally any investor experts returns on his or her investment. But this should cause no worry as government has the interest of Malawians at heart that is why it is involved in the project through EGENCO.’’

 “In other words, while ensuring that there is a return in the investment by the private investor, government will ensure that the prices are realistic and in the best interest of Malawians,

The Mpatamanga power supply project will have a main dam within the Shire river which will produce 309 megawatts. There will also be another regulating dam where 41 megawatts will be produced. This regulating dam is designed in a way that it will help to prevent flooding downstream of shire river especially during peak hour when maximum production is in progress.

Lack of adequate and reliable power supply from the national grid is one of the major factors hindering investment in heavy industries such as large-scale mining in Malawi.

The mothballed Kayelekera Uranium Mining in Karonga, which remains the country’s biggest mining investment, is powered by diesel generators which is more expansive for the company in comparison with utilization of power from the national grid.

25 thoughts on “Construction of 350MW Mpatamanga Power plant to start in 2022.

  1. Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright transparent concept

  2. Pingback: kardinal stick
  3. Pingback: prima weight loss
  4. Pingback: sportsbet
  5. Pingback: sbobet
  6. Pingback: buy stoeger guns
  7. Pingback: click for more
  8. Pingback: More hints
  9. Pingback: BG Casino
  10. Pingback: 다시보기
  11. Pingback: adderall svenska
  12. Pingback: Thai food nyc

Leave a Reply