MaraviPost iReport: Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Bright Msaka says government is expected to reach out to at least 81 Centres from each of districts of the country when phase eight of the rural electrification program starts this year.
Responding to questions on the progress of the project during press briefing on Thursday, Msaka reveals that planning of phase eight started in May and is expected to be completed by end of August 2015. “The output of this planning exercise will be Bills of Quantities of materials required to implement the phase. Procurement process of the materials will start in September 2015 and is expected to be finished by February 2016”, lamented Msaka.
He further adds, alongside the process, procurement of contractors will also be done to immediately to ensure that highly populated Districts with higher economic growth. It is expected that construction works will begin in March 2016 and finish in March 2017 in as far as MAREP phase eight project is concern.
Principal Secretary for Energy Gesta Kaphaiza concurred with Msaka’s sentiments saying that the government of Malawi is committed in improving the life of the population in rural areas by providing electricity throughout the country: Although there are hiccups in power generation capacity, financial resources and selection of the sites that would ensure equity.
In a move to address the challenges in power generation, the government focuses to increase electricity capacity through involvement of Independent Power Producers (IPPS). IPPS generate electricity and inject it into the national grid through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM)
Since MAREP Project was introduced in 1980s with ESCOM the areas electrified represent 9% out of 100% of the population area covered. The Mathematics of area population covered means that Malawi power generation is poor and less progressing. Therefore, the government of Malawi has allocated to MAREP Phase 8 an estimate of MK12.1 Billion to run the project.
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