By Malawi Exclusive
President Lazarus Chakwera has described the launch of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector as timely and a prerequisite for speeding up economic growth and improving the living standards of the citizens.
Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector, in Tete Mozambique Chakwera said the construction of the 400kv transmission line project will help to ease the increasing demand of electricity in Malawi as well as providing safe and reliable power. He further said that the project will create an opportunity for Malawi to export power into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)
“I should also mention that this project will cushion Malawi against future power losses due to unforseen and uncertain circumstances. This Interconnector will assist in closing the gap between power supply and demand in Malawi which is adversely affecting our agriculture, the manufacturing industry, and delivery services,” said President Chakwera.
He said the line could become a source of revenue for Malawi in the near future when the country will be exporting power to the region once the needs of domestic supply are met especially with the construction of other projects like the Mpatamanga, Kholombidzo, and Fulu Hydropower projects.
President Chakwera is in Mozambique for a 4-day official tour and is expected back home on April 24,2022.
Writing on his Facebook page, President Chakwera says he has laid the foundation stone as a complement of a similar event at Phombeya Substation in Balaka last November. He adds that the launch is historic because it establishes a reliable interconnection of power not only between the two countries but across the SADC region.
“The 400kV Mozambique – Malawi Transmission Line will create a link between the two countries to meet increasing electricity demand in Malawi and to create opportunities for trade in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The transmission line is expected to enable initial supply of 50 megawatts of power from Mozambique to Malawi with room for us to get extra 60 megawatts upon further agreements between our respective power utility companies.” reads the post.
Chakwera said he was delighted to see the project commence as it will address power needs at the back of losing 129 megawatts from the grid due to damage caused by Cyclone Ana.
“It is also pleasing that the construction phase of this project will create over 1,000 jobs to both Malawians and Mozambicans,” said the President.