Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, who is in Japana on duty held a wide-ranging discussion on Malawi’s energy sector, challenges and opportunities with Takaoka Engineers (Electrical Engineering Company) management team.
Nankhumwa informed the Japanese energy giants that Malawi continues to face serious power supply challenges. He said this is due to effects of climate change and obsolete technology.
“In general, productivity levels have sunk so low, a scenario, which has affected supply and demand for services in all forms, and this has negatively affected the country’s economic development. I am aware that your company has been globally active in the improvement of power infrastructure facilities since its establishment almost 50 years ago. In as much as you are already implementing projects in Malawi, I still wish to encourage Takaoka Engineering to invest more in solar, hydro and other power generation technologies in our country,” Nakhumwa said.
Nankhumwa informed the Takaoka Engineering team that Malawi has mostly been using hydro power since its independence in the 1960s. He said although Malawi has recently been drifting towards green energy such as solar power, this has not adequately addressed the challenges that Malawi is facing in the energy sector.
“I believe this is the right time to explore possibilities of more investment in other green energy sources, including wind technology. As such, I would like to invite you to explore value partnerships with other private sector players in Malawi to invest in various energy technologies,” said Nankhumwa.
He further said that Malawi is one of the world’s least developed countries. The need for reliable and affordable energy cannot, therefore, be overemphasized.
“We need power to improve and save lives. We need affordable and reliable energy to grow and support our manufacturing industry and create jobs for our people; improve our agriculture; increase trade; and improve our transportation industry. This is the only sure way that we can help our people escape from the jaws of abject poverty,” Nankhumwa said.
Under a Japanese grant of over MK23 billion to the Malawi government, Takaoka Engineering is currently rehabilitating and expanding the Kanengo Escom Substation to effectively and adequately serve the growing Kanengo Industrial Area in the Capital City. Similar works are being carried out at Old Town Escom Substation. The works are expected to be completed by March 2024.
Nankhumwa said it is important that similar projects be replicated in Blantyre and Mzuzu to support the expanding industrial sites of Makata, Chirimba and Luwinga, respectively.
Takaoka Engineers president Akihiko Ichakwa led the team which also had general manager Mokoto Honma, senior projects manager Yuku Sakahira and former Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Shuichiro Nishioka.