Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi ESCOM has said that Malawi should brace for continuous and prolonged blackouts due to power shortfall at the national grid.
According to ESCOM the national electricity grid is falling short of 83-megawatt during evening peak hours as it currently has an operating capacity of 347 megawatts against a peak demand of 430 megawatts.
In a statement released on Thursday, the utility body said the situation has been worsened by several generation problems at Nkula B Unit Six, which has a capacity of 20 megawatts, after it suffered a major failure on the 7th of August.
ESCOM said critical components will be sent to South Africa for specialized reconditioning, with restoration expected in early October.
It added that Nkula A, Kapichira Unit, and Tedzani Three Units Five and Six are also operating below capacity due to worn-out shaft seals, severe debris and stones at the intake following Cyclone Anna and transformer capacity limitations.
ESCOM said, while its recently commissioned 10 MW battery energy storage system is active during peak hours, it cannot single-handedly bridge the 83 MW supply deficit.
“Consequently, load shedding schedules will continue to experience significant instability, extended durations or interruptions outside published groups until generation capacity is progressively restored beginning with Nkula A in September and Nkula B in October”, reads part of the statement.
ESCOM has since expressed deep regret for the continued disruption on businesses and households.
About The Author
