The World Bank on Wednesday approved grants of $93-million for Malawi and Mozambique to increase the availability and reliability of low cost, environmentally friendly electricity in Southern Africa.
Malawi will get $48-million and Mozambique $45-million to connect Malawi to the Southern African Power Pool through Mozambique. This will allow two-way energy trade between the two countries, and most significantly, the export of off-peak power surpluses.
”The connection will allow Malawi to import electricity when necessary — particularly if there’s a drought — and also to export any surplus for use at night-time,” World Bank energy specialist Wendy Hughes said.
Mozambique will build about 135km of 220kV transmission line and expand its existing Matambo substation. Malawi will build about 75km of transmission line and a 220kV substation. — Sapa