No. EGENCO has never hired and does not intend to hire diesel generators from within or outside Malawi. The Company already owns diesel generators located at Mapanga, Kanengo, Lilongwe A, and Luwinga. The current focus is on rehabilitating the existing gensets.
Some diesel generators are currently non-operational due to the lack of critical spare parts. Procurement of these parts has been delayed over the past three years because of foreign exchange constraints.
Government has allocated approximately US$8.1 million for the procurement of critical spare parts for both hydropower stations and diesel generation facilities. Payments for critical spares for hydropower plants have already been made and awaiting delivery. Procurement of the same for thermal diesel gensets is at an advanced stage.
EGENCO anticipates that all currently non-functional diesel generators will be restored and operational by December 2026 after the required spare parts are received and installed.
No. we would like to clarify that the figure of MK32.3 billion per month is inaccurate because it is based on unrealistic assumptions regarding fuel consumption, fuel pricing, operating hours, and the number of generators running simultaneously.
The estimate assumes:
- Each generator consumes 500 litres of fuel per hour.
- Fuel is purchased at retail pump prices.
- All 23 generators operate simultaneously.
- Generators run for 16 hours daily.
These assumptions do not reflect actual operating conditions. Diesel generators are used mainly during peak demand periods and not all units operate every day.
Currently, with the number of diesel generators that are running (13), the average monthly operating cost for the past 6 months is MK2.5 billion.
The generators operate for a maximum of eight hours per day and are dispatched based on system demand, particularly during morning, midday, and evening peak periods.
EGENCO has several control mechanisms in place, including:
- 24-hour security staffing at diesel power plants.
- CCTV surveillance at both diesel and hydropower stations.
- Physical escort of fuel tankers from NOCMA depots to our stations.
- Daily reconciliation of fuel received and consumed.
- Internal audits, external audits, and risk assessments.
These measures ensure accountability and proper use of fuel resources.
The generators have been available and were used during the past three years. They played a particularly important role after Cyclone Ana damaged Kapichira Power Station, when they were heavily utilized to supplement hydropower generation.
Electricity demand has grown significantly due to increased access to electricity, including rural electrification initiatives. Growth in demand has outpaced growth in generation capacity. Additionally, some generating units are operating below capacity because of technical faults whose rectification awaits delivery of spare parts.
As of 21 August 2026, all hydropower generation units were operational except Nkula B Unit 6 (20MW), which developed a technical fault on 7 August 2026 and is currently out of service. Faulty parts are undergoing repairs at Original Equipment Manufacturer’s regional workshop in South Africa.
The following stations are operating below installed capacity: Nkula A – Generating 24MW instead of 35.1MW due to worn turbine shaft seals. Tedzani Units 5 and 6 – Generating 5MW below capacity because debris and stones accumulated at the intake following Cyclone Ana. Kapichira Unit 3 – Generating 6MW below capacity after failure of the original transformer.
Damaged generator bearing parts and the shaft are being dismantled and transported to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) workshop in South Africa for repairs. The unit is expected back in service during the first week of October 2026.
Government has provided foreign exchange for the procurement of spare parts. All parts had been fully paid for as of 21 August 2026 and were being shipped into the country. Full capacity is expected to be restored by the end of September 2026.
A contractor has been engaged to remove debris and stones from the intake area. Upon completion of this work, the units are expected to return to full capacity by December 2026.
EGENCO is procuring a replacement transformer. Because generator transformers are manufactured on a make-to-order basis, restoration of full capacity is expected by December 2027.
EGENCO is accelerating development of:
- Wovwe II Hydropower Project (4.5MW)
- Phase II of Salima Solar Power Plant (40MW)
- Combined Gas Turbine Project in Chipoka, Salima (50MW).
- Kammwamaba Coal-Fired Power Plant (300MW)
The Government of Malawi has reassigned the 300MW Kam’mwamba Coal-Fired Power Project to EGENCO. The Company had already acquired land, completed feasibility studies, and initiated procurement processes before the project was reassigned. EGENCO will now proceed with implementation.
EGENCO and its partners are advancing the following strategic projects:
- Mpatamanga Hydropower Project (358MW) on the Shire River.
- Chasombo and Chizuma Hydropower Projects (80MW) on the Bua River.
EGENCO remains committed to addressing generation challenges, restoring affected units, improving reliability of electricity supply, and expanding generation capacity. The Company appreciates the continued patience, understanding, and support of stakeholders and the general public.
EGENCO encourages civil society organizations, the media, and the public to engage the Company directly whenever clarification is required. This helps ensure accurate reporting and prevents the spread of misleading or incomplete information.