According to a statement by the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), power outages in the country are now lasting 7 hours due to a substantial increase in demand for electricity.

The complaint follows after the same firm celebrated 40 days of no blackouts in January. The record, according to the Escom management, was attributed to consistent rainfall. Months later, management has said that the electricity which the company is getting from diesel generators and Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) is not adequate to satisfy demand. “We have been compelled to effect a 7-hour Electricity Management Program for the period from March 21 to March 24, 2020,” reads part of the statement.

Recently President Peter Mutharika split the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining into three separate ministries, which though opposed, will see the tasks assigned to 3 various ministers, which may improve the struggling sectors.