MALAWI: Power importation deal takes shape

Negotiations for Malawi to start importing power from Mozambique's Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam on the Zambezi River look set to be concluded with a bilateral agreement on a power importation deal.

In March 2003, one of Malawi's main power transmission stations was destroyed by heavy floods at Nkula B hydroelectric plant on the River Shire. That led to one of the most critical power crisis in memory. Malawi's manufacturing and business sectors are reported to be losing up to K45m ($500,000) each day due to the shortage of electric power.

Malawi's Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, Uladi Mussa said his government had no choice but to seek power interconnection with other electricity providers in the region under the Southern Africa Power Pool (Sapp) which facilitates linkages of electricity grid systems for its member countries.