By Chisomo Phiri
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In its response to support the implementation of Malawi-Emergency Power Restoration Project, the World Bank group through International Development Association (IDA)’s Crisis Response Window has approved a total of US$60 million to Malawi Government.
Of the amount, US$ 36 million is in credit form whereas US$34 million is in grant form.
In a letter addressed to the Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe, IDA Executive Director Taufila Nyamadzabo says the credit amount has a final maturity of 38 years including a grace period of 6 years while the grant amount will be on standard IDA terms.
Nyamadzabo says bjectives of the Emergency Power Restoration project is to rehabilitate and increase resilience of the Kapichira Dam and spillways, and transportation and distribution of infrastructures damaged by Tropical Storm Ana.
He says the project has two components which include Kapichira dam rehabilitation and strengthening,and the transmission and distribution network restoration.
He adds that the project beneficiaries will include households and businesses, health facilities, schools, Water pumping stations as well as institutions who lost power due to the impact of Tropical Storm Ana.
In January 2022, the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ana brought about extensive damage to the 129.6 MW Kapichira Hydroelectric Power Plant’s dam and spillways putting the power plant out of operation.
The storm also damaged the transmission and distribution lines of the plant thereby causing widespread power outages in the Lower Shire Valley.
Kapichira Hydroelectric power station is responsible for about 23 percent of the county’s power generation capacity.
