The Malawi Energy Regulatory authority (Mera) says the coming of more players in the energy sector is a good development for the country.
Mera chief executive officer Dr Alexon Chiwaya said this on Monday at Tidzuke Orphan Care Centre in Mchinji when his organisation presented assorted items to the centre worth K1.5 million (about $6 000).
Chiwaya’s comments come at a time when a Chinese company, China Gezhouba, is planning to construct a thermo plant at Zalewa in Blantyre.
Said Chiwaya: “The biggest problem we face as a regulator is the failure to meet demand for electricity. With the coming in of more companies in this sector, the problem can be solved and power outages will be minimised. It is good that we have the Chinese coming in, but we have other players as well who have applied to start producing electricity.”
According to Chiwaya, a company named Comsoft wants to venture into solar energy and there are a few more who also want to invest in wind and hydro energy production.
“It is good that as a country we liberalised the energy sector because if a company satisfies all the needs to start producing electricity, they can be granted licences,” he said.
Chiwaya also revealed that the price monitoring committee will be meeting on the 30th of every month to evaluate data and decide whether to increase or reduce the price of fuel.
“Once we have met, the board will decide within 48 hours to endorse our decision or not. The current system of pricing fuel is the best because fuel is being sold at the right price,” said Chiwaya.
