Energy
EGENCO commissions feasibility study for Kammwamba Power Plant
October 01, 2020 / Tawina Maluwa
Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) says it has commissioned a new feasibility study on Kammwamba coal fired power plant to update the feasibility study that was done in 2014.
In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, EGENCO CEO Wiilliam Liabunya said the Company has engaged a German consultant Fitchner to execute the study
“Kammwamba coal fired plant was given to EGENCO in 2019. It coincided well with the plans that we already had to put up a coal plant. We expect the feasibility study to take about six months, once that is concluded then we will finalize financial arrangements and embark on implementation,” said Liabunya.
Liabunya said Kamwamba Coal Fired Power Plant is among other ongoing projects such as Kapichira dredging, dredging of the Nkula pond, Tedzani IV, Wovwe expansion, Likoma solar, and Mpatamanga Hydro Plant.
He also said EGENCO is working very hard to ensure that it rehabilitates the existing power stations as well as venture into developing new plants.
Commenting on the challenges that EGENCO is facing in establishing new power sources, Liabunya said every project is unique and consequently has different challenges.
He said: “Apart from issues of financing which are crosscutting, there are really no major challenges.”
“The delay in some of the projects is simply because we need as a public company to follow procedures in every transaction that we undertake, so sometimes these processes take time to complete.”
“What you also need to understand is that power projects unlike building a house take time and needs lots of permits and approvals. Lots of planning involved to get feasibility studies, get environmental permits, implement resettlement plans, negotiate connection and power purchase agreements with off taker, arrange for financing etc.”
Asked on what Malawians should expect in terms of power generation, he said this year they have put in place a number of measures to ensure that they sustain the current improved generation capacity.
Liabunya said: “Coupled to that is the matter of adequate water that has been harvested this year in the lake so that we can use during this dry season. As you may be aware, we now have a new barrage at Liwonde which is fully automated”
“Another important aspect is that we have been able to maintain all our machines, as of today, all our machines are in perfect working condition expect for one at Kapichira whose repairs could not be completed due to travel restrictions due to COVID 19. However, with continued opening of borders we hope to have commissioning engineers and equipment from Germany to be in the country by end of this month or early next month and have the machine back online”.
Recently, local mining experts called on government to consider setting up a coal fired power plant in the northern region in order to utilize locally sourced coal.
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Comments
Mining & Trade Review News
Agribusiness News
Subscribe to Newsletter
Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
Archives
Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
Stakeholders Logos
