* A significant step towards ensuring grid stability through increased grid generation capacity
* Paves the way for the integration of 75-megawatt (MW) multifuel thermal power into the national electricity grid
* Through a 132-kilovolt (kV) connection point at ESCOM’s existing 132/33kV Nanjoka Substation in Salima
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) reports that it has signed two separate landmark Transmission Connection Agreements (TCA) with AZA Power Solutions Limited and Quantel Renewable Energy Limited — “a significant step towards ensuring grid stability through increased generation capacity”.
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In a statement issued today, October 9 in Blantyre, ESCOM reports that the TCA with AZA, a power plant project being developed by UR Energy and Wartsilla, “paves the way for the integration of 75-megawatt (MW) multifuel thermal power into the national electricity grid through a 132-kilovolt (kV) connection point at ESCOM’s existing 132/33kV Nanjoka Substation in Salima”.
“The project is expected to increase the country’s baseload generation capacity by 17% and reduce unserved energy by approximately 60%.
The statement quotes ESCOM Chief Executive Officer, Eng. William Kaipa, describing the agreement as a major milestone in strengthening the country’s electricity supply and improving power reliability.
“The additional 75MW will help address the generation deficit that contributes to load shedding and frequent power outages thereby affecting households and businesses, Eng. Kaipa is quoted as saying.
“The project will provide dependable baseload power while diversifying Malawi’s energy mix and reducing vulnerability to droughts and low water levels that affect hydropower generation.”
On behalf of AZA Power Solutions Limited, Managing Director Abel Manumbu said the 75MW of firm thermal capacity “will go a long way in strengthening Malawi’s baseload, ensuring less unserved energy and fewer outages for homes and businesses”.
“We are not just building a power plant — we are building opportunities. Holding a national grid steady, often in difficult conditions, is demanding work that rarely draws applause.
“Today, we applaud you. Your professionalism made this agreement possible. AZA will be a dependable partner as you manage this critical asset on behalf of every Malawian,” he said.
The statement adds that ESCOM signed another TCA with Quantel Renewable Energy Limited, a consortium of independent power producers including partners Vidullankah PLC (Sri Lanka) and Frontier Energy (Denmark).
“Through the TCA, Quantel Renewable Energy Limited will bring 50MW of clean, renewable solar power to the national grid through its 50MWac photovoltaic power plant at the new Bwengu Substation in Mzimba District.
Eng. Kaipa described the signing of the agreement with Quantel Renewable Energy Limited as another decisive step towards easing power supply challenges especially in the Northern Region.
“This 50MWac photovoltaic power plant at the New Bwengu Substation offers a direct solution to these problems, helps ESCOM to further diversify its energy mix and reduce our overdependence on hydro power.
“Therefore, it is also our hope and prayer that this investment will boost local generation in the Northern Region as this project will inject power closer to local demand centres, easing the strain on long-distance transmission lines,” he said.
Quantel Renewable Energy Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Patridge Shycal is quoted saying the signing of the agreement signifies that they are now ready to connect power to the national grid.
“Today is a defining milestone for the Quantel Project,” he said. “The signing of this Transmission Connection Agreement signifies that our project will now connect power into the national grid. We are moving from development to actual delivery.”
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