Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) announced yesterday evening that it has shut down its Nkula B Power Station, a situation that has left the country with 275MW of power against the demand of 310MW

The statement outlines that the above is due to the bursting of a bypass-pipe in one of the five machines at the station. The cause of the burst is currently under investigation, as works to repair the bypass pipe are underway, as assured in the statement. “We will keep the public updated once preliminary works and assessment of the extent of damage is complete,” the statement reads.

On the other hand, the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito said the misfortune is a sign of  “negligence and lack of maturity” at Egenco. I said it last week (during the Escom 2014 charter review) that, as we approach the festive season, we will hear an excuse from Egenco and this is a norm that we get every Christmas” said Kapito, “The pipe cannot burst on its own, it only shows that there is lack of inspection and lack of repairing,”.

Meanwhile, Escom is assuring its customers that the load shedding program will ensure to provide power for Malawians during this misfortune. Prior to the incident, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) faulted the Tonse Alliance Administration for having the return of blackouts under their watch, contrary to what the alliance had promised Malawians.