Millennium Challenge Corporation improves electricity access in Malawi with GE EMS

The project, financed through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a bilateral US foreign aid agency, will improve efficiency, reliability, security and planning of the transmission network in Malawi.

The project will provide ESCOM with the tools to securely interconnect with neighbouring countries (Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania) and reduce technical losses in the transmission system in the medium-term whilst fostering economic growth in the long-term.

Jeanne Hauch, vice-president and general counsel of Millennium Challenge Corporation, said, “The work we have accomplished through the MCC Malawi Compact has created the foundation for a modern power system in Malawi. The experience and expertise of partners such as GE are critical to the success of a compact. GE’s technology is providing real-time and remotely managed information on Malawi’s electrical grid and power outages. This kind of work has set the stage for Malawi’s continued economic development.”

With about 3.2mn households without power, Malawi is working towards a reliable and cost-efficient operation of its transmission system.

Lazarus Angbazo, CEO, GE Power’s Grid Solutions, sub-Saharan Africa, commented, “The ability to monitor the grid in real time is a key requirement to secure electricity supply nationwide. GE’s EMS solution will enable the state-owned power utility to easily monitor, control and coordinate the related electrical networks, regulate power voltage within the transmission grid and identify system failure in those substations that are connected to the SCADA system."

“The grid modernisation and expansion will enable safe and efficient transmission of electricity, therefore, providing more Malawians with access to electricity and pave the way toward development of Africa’s regional interconnections,” he added.