Malawi’s power generation demand is surging, mostly as a result of the mining sector. The country’s 2012 Economic Report said power demand in 2010 was estimated at 408 MW with projects for 2015 standing at 603 MW and over 829 MW by 2020; however, the UNDP estimates that the more likely figures will be around 740 MW in 2050 and over 1,400 MW by 2020.
Local news source, Nyasa Times, reported the country’s energy minister Ibrahim Matola as saying that the government is attempting to fast-track power projects to increase local generation. “That is why we are moving to set up new hydro stations like Kholombidzo, bringing in investors like the Chinese for the 1,000 MW coal power plant, and of course the interconnection with Mozamibque to enable Malawi to sell excess electricity and earn foreign exchange,” he said.
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) will be a likely prospect to help jumpstart projects in the member state with interconnector schemes while organizations like the African Development Bank are already keen to provide funding (AfDB Hands Malawi over $3M for Power Generation). Other help has been seen from Scotland, providing Malawi with £1.7 million to help promote sustainable energy as part of the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Program.
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