Africa’s tobacco exporter Malawi, will receive a 20 megawatt energy export assistance from its neighbor Zambia to aid plug a 200 megatwatt deficit. This was confirmed by Zambia’s Energy Minister Matthews Nkhuwa in an interview in Lusaka. Zambia’s power utility ZESCO earlier in August signed an agreement with Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) for the supply of 20 megawatts of electricity.
Malawi is currently grappling with energy poverty following prolonged dry spells which have depleted its water bodies impacting hydro power generation. Zambia Africa’s copper producer has stepped in just like the old days of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to help its neighbor in hardships.
Zambia will ramp up exports to 70 megawatts within the course of 2019, the Minister hinted. An official ceremony will be convened on 30 Nov at Muchinji border to signal this development.
Zambia’s power generation has risen to 3,656 gigawatts YTD (Q3:18), 10.4% higher than 2017 same period.