For the past week Malawians have been experiencing massive load shedding that could last for five hours a situation the corporation has blamed low water levels as a reason behind the load shedding.

In a press statement released today 10th August 15, ESCOM said the water levels from Lake Malawi have caused the insufficient power generation.

“The current water flow at shire as measured at Liwonde barrage, is at 214 cubic meters per second against the total required discharge of 261 at Nkula,274 at Tedzani and 268 at Kapichira Hydro power stations if all machines are running at full capacity.”

The statement said if the trend I to remain as such the electricity is likely to worsen to the end of the dry season at the onset of the rains later this year.

“Customers may wish to know that the situation to know that the situation is happening due to low rainfall in the past rainy season which is attributed to climate change a situation which is currently not reversible and is likely to worsen in the next four to five months,” further reads the statement.

The frequent blackouts are coming at the time Malawians least expected the commission to fail to provide power after they have just commissioned extra generators for power.

Some weeks ago government announced that ESCOM will no longer be generating power under the Millennium Challenge Account giving hope to Malawians that the issue of blackouts will be a thing of the past.

Recently state President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika met Chinese investors who are expected to set up a coal plant which will be used to generate power in the country.

Mutharika said he was hopeful that an increase in the production of energy will help to woo investors in the country.

According to Chen Shiangdong, the general manager for China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Company, his institution is set to establish a coal-plant at Kam’mwamba in Neno.

He said the project, which after completion would produce at least 350 megawatts, is expected to be completed in 42 months.

Minister of Energy, Mining and Natural Resources Bright Msaka said government was ready to support China Gezhouba in this project as it endeavours to expand its power production base.

Currently Malawi is producing 351 megawatts of power which is not enough for both commercial and domestic use.

Another company Atlas energy announced to start generating 50 megawatts of power using solar system.