Escom denies sabotaging DPP

Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has denied allegations that the current power cuts are aimed at frustrating the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.

Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) executive director, John Kapito, recently demanded answers from Escom on why there had been an increase in power outages since President Peter Mutharika took over power in May 2014.

Kapito noted in a statement that there were fewer blackouts during the People’s Party (PP) administration between   April 2012 and May 2014 and he, therefore, demanded an explanation from Escom if the outages were not aimed at sabotaging the current administration.

But in an interview in Blantyre on Sunday, Escom chief executive officer, John Kandulu, parried away the accusations, insisting the power cuts were a result of reduced water levels in Lake Malawi and Shire River.

Kandulu said 260 cubic metres water flow per second is needed for optimal operation of the machines.

“Of course, we respect that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But our main challenge is reduced water levels in Lake Malawi and Shire River. Water is flowing at 208 cubic metres per second and we cannot generate enough power with this level of flow,” he said.

Escom director of generation, Evance Msiska, hinted that Escom is looking at other alternatives to diversify electricity generation, among them wind and solar power.

He said their vision is to generate 1 500 additional megawatts by  2020 to supplement the current supply.