People living in peri-urban areas have all the reason to smile as they can now connect their homes to the national grid under Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) Limited’s Peri-Urban Electrification Project.
Escom is implementing the project in two ways; the first is through the rehabilitation of existing networks and installing new transformers in areas within 500 metres of the national grid. The second is by extending electricity lines to communities located more than one kilomtre from the grid.
In a telephone interview yesterday, one of a beneficiary Olipa Rajah, from Chipeni Area in Bunda Zone in Lilongwe, said her house is now connected to the national grid.
“It is like a dream come true. My family used to struggle without power. Now I can start selling cold water and other beverages since my fridge will be working,” she said.
The project is part of Escom’s broader vision to achieve universal electricity access, contributing to economic empowerment and an improved quality of life for Malawians.
Escom chief public relations and communications officer Pilirani Phiri said in an interview yesterday the utility is funding the project to reach out to areas that had low access to power.
“These efforts are closing critical access gaps. We are sure communities will register a reduction in security concerns at night and a rise in small businesses now that power is available,” said Phiri.
