Electricity + Control October 2016

A SENSE OF AFRICA

Infrastructure Development Project (IDP) This project aims to rehabilitate, upgrade and modernise priority Generation, Transmission and Distribution assets in Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) system. The project is thus investing in reha- bilitate, upgrade and modernise Malawi’s generation, transmission and distribution assets that are in most need of repair. This is done tomaintain the existing generation and enhance the capability of Malawi’s transmission system while improving the efficiency and sustainability of hydro- power generation. Power Sector ReformProject (PSRP) Complementing the Infrastructure Devel- opment project, this project is supporting government, improving the financial and operational performance of ESCOM and strengthening the regulatory environment to support policy reform and investment. It looks into two activities – the turna- round of the Electricity Supply Corpora- tion of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) and Regulatory Strengthening. This sets the stage for the expansion of the power sec- tor in the near future. Environmental and Natural Re- sourceManagement project (ENRM) This project focuses specifically on the Shire River Basin Catchment areas. The objective is to address the immediate problems of siltation and weed infesta- tion limiting power generation by ESCOM throughmechanical and biological means. It addresses the issues affecting the river, such as aquatic weed infestation and excessive sediments that could cause disruptions to the hydropower plant downstream. Through the ENRM project, the govern- ment seeks to improve land use and wa- tershedmanagement practices in the river by addressing underlying environmental and social issues.

Optimising the grid Improving the availability, reliability and quality of power supply is essential to ensuring the stability and efficiency of the grid. To do this, MCA-Malawi engaged GE to install and commission an Energy Management System (EMS) and telecom- munication system at ESCOM. The installation of GE’s SCADA/EMS e-terra platform will allow ESCOM to monitor, plan and optimise its transmis- sion systems nationwide in real time. With this system, ESCOM will be able to optimise Malawi’s power system and increase its efficiency in delivering much needed electrical power to Malawians. GE will also install remote terminal units at existing and new transmission substa- tions in the central and southern region of Malawi, as well as upgrade ESCOM’s exist- ing telecommunication system. GE’s team of experts will also provide the technical training to ensure that ESCOM is able to garner the best out of the installed system. As the electricitymarket evolves, energy management plays a key role to ensure sufficient energy supply to meet energy demand. Today, operators have to take Distributed Energy Resources, Renew- able Energy integration and Smart Grid transformations into consideration, while maintaining the current grid and prepar- ing it for the future. Grid stabilisation and modernisation in Malawi is an important element to ensure more people gain ac- cess electricity – a key step to the eradica- tion of poverty.The stability of the grid is also essential for future developments, such as grid interconnections, that could further cement the much needed avail- ability of electricity. Malawi’s electrical future – sharing the load In preparing for Malawi’s future electricity grid, MCA-Malawi will construct a 173 km 400 kV overhead line (OVHL) from Pho- mbeya in Balaka to Nkhoma, Lilongwe, and 129 km 132 kV OVHL Chinteche in Nkhata Bay to Bwengu, Mzimba. The

substations at Phombeya, Nkhoma and Bwengu will be designed to accommodate the government’s future plans to intercon- nect Malawi’s grid to its three neighbour- ing countries, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. Sharing the load wouldmean that Malawi will be able to both receive power when they need it and provide power when it has excess. Grid interconnections can have a posi- tive impact on electricity availability and could also lower the cost of electricity supply. With the implementation of these bigger and better grid connections and proper equipment to support the effective, efficient distribution and higher availabil- ity of electricity, Malawi’s energy sector is helping more citizens live better lives. Although access to electricity is not the only solution to poverty, the link between them is evident – especially in developing countries. Connection to the grid could be a catalyst to the eradication of poverty in Malawi, one kilowatt at a time.

Armand Pineda is the Western Europe and Africa Region General Manager at Grid Solu- tions, a GE and Alstom joint venture, in GE’s Energy Connections business. Armand has an international career with more than 20 years of experience in the business development and execution of projects of the Power Industry in Asia, Northern Africa and Europe. Prior to his role with GE, Armand was the Region Vice-President of Western Europe and Africa for Alstom Grid. He joined Alstom Grid in April 2012 as the Vice-President in charge of the Engineering and Projects Excellence including the Large Projects Organisation. Enquiries: Email jbole@sternstrategy.com

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