Disputes between Escom & PML impacting energy sector-MW Parliament

Malawi: The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Legal Affairs, Public Accounts (PAC), and Trade and Industry informed the PML that their disagreements with ESCOM are affecting the energy sector in this country.

In her response, Rosemary Mkandawire, Chief Executive Officer of PML, told the committee that it is true and unfortunate that PML and ESCOM are not collaborating as they should be, and as a result, they are not having such fruitful conversations.

"We are in a situation in which ESCOM is fighting. We're not having very fruitful discussions. PML does not want to fight, but we are here to work with ESCOM to ensure that our country has enough power, more industries, and more jobs for our youth "She elaborated.

Mkandawire went on to say that PML is committed to ensuring that Malawi has a viable and sustainable power sector that is appealing to new investments, both domestic and foreign.

"The company is geared to be an integral part of the new Malawi's socioeconomic development," she said.

"It is hoped that PML will receive support from all key stakeholders and partners, particularly the shareholder."

In his remarks, Alfonso Chikuni, Principal Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Energy, stated that the squabbles between the PML and ESCOM, as well as ESCOM and EGENCO, must be resolved as soon as possible.

"We have accepted responsibility for resolving the squabbles. We believe that by the end of the month, we will have reached an agreement. If we cannot reach an amicable solution, we will subject the entire principal and set up to a review, and we may have to return to Parliament where it originated,” he elaborated.

After ESCOM was mandated with the distribution, transmission, and marketing processes, PML began operations as a single buyer in March 2020.