Energy
EU lauds benefits of Mozambique-Malawi interconnector
November 08, 2019 / Wahard Betha
The European Union (EU) Mission in Malawi has described the Mozambique-Malawi 400kV interconnector project as game-changer, saying it will link up Malawi’s energy grid to the regional electricity market of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) and facilitate trading as well as balancing of electricity among countries within the region.
EU Ambassador Sandra Paesan made the observation in a statement in which she hailed the ‘great things’ that happens when the EU and Malawi put their energy into joint projects.
Paesan said in partnership with KfW (the German Development Bank), the EU is supporting the Mozambique-Malawi 400kV interconnector project alongside other regional infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting regional trade and economic growth.
Other initiatives that EU supports include the North-South M1 corridor in partnership with the European Investment Bank and the Nacala road corridor in partnership with African Development Bank.
She said currently lack of access to reliable power is preventing Malawi from realizing its full economic growth and development potential as businesses and people are affected by regular power cuts and high costs of power through diesel generators.
The ambassador noted that energy being one of the main drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs, Malawi needs reliable power supply if it were to achieve meaningful economic development.
In this vein, she explained that the interconnector project will provide Malawi’s business sector with more secure supply, which in turn will create an environment where business development can accelerate.
She also said having attained dependable power supply, there will be a multiply effect as growth in agricultural sector will benefit from new value chains that depend on a secure and affordable source of energy.
“A secure supply will further led to improved productivity as businesses will be in a position to operate uninterrupted while optimizing investments,” she said.
Paesan noted that Malawi’s energy infrastructure needs are quite substantial hence the need to attract private investment into the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, to complement efforts from development partners.
She welcomed the initiative by the Malawi Government to procure 70MW of solar energy, saying it is in tandem with Africa-Europe Alliance and European External Investment Plan.
“Renewable Energy is the future and Malawi should fast-track the process of this initiative which started two years ago, so that the country realizes the benefits of such power investments,” she said.
The diplomat said European companies are ahead on the market when it comes to renewable energy investment and will be available to help Malawi in this respect.
“It is critical to continue our joint efforts to strengthen Malawi regional connectivity and infrastructure in view of supporting inclusive growth and development for all Malawians” said Paesen.
The EU recently organized a meeting with private firms in Blantyre, which discussed investment bottlenecks, including the prevailing energy woes.
attained dependable power supply, there will be a multiply effect as growth in agricultural sector will benefit from new value chains that depend on a secure and affordable source of energy.
“A secure supply will further led to improved productivity as businesses will be in a position to operate uninterrupted while optimizing investments,” she said.
Paesan noted that Malawi’s energy infrastructure needs are quite substantial hence the need to attract private investment into the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, to complement efforts from development partners.
She welcomed the initiative by the Malawi Government to procure 70MW of solar energy, saying it is in tandem with Africa-Europe Alliance and European External Investment Plan.
“Renewable Energy is the future and Malawi should fast-track the process of this initiative which started two years ago, so that the country realizes the benefits of such power investments,” she said.
The diplomat said European companies are ahead on the market when it comes to renewable energy investment and will be available to help Malawi in this respect.
“It is critical to continue our joint efforts to strengthen Malawi regional connectivity and infrastructure in view of supporting inclusive growth and development for all Malawians” said Paesen.
The EU recently organized a meeting with private firms in Blantyre, which discussed investment bottlenecks, including the prevailing energy woes.
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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.
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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.
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