Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to electricity and meeting the country’s growing demand for power.

Mathanga made the remarks on Monday in Salima when she commissioned 10 megawatts of solar-generated electricity produced by the Electricity Generation Company of Malawi Limited (EGENCO).

Speaking to YFM, Mathanga said the second phase of the project is expected to generate an additional 30 megawatts, bringing the plant’s total capacity to 50 megawatts.

She said other projects, including the Mpatamanga Hydropower Project, are also being pursued to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity, with the Mpatamanga project expected to produce 358 megawatts.

Mathanga further said six additional power generation projects are in the pipeline, with two planned for each of the country’s three regions.

Meanwhile, EGENCO Chief Executive Officer William Liabunya described the commissioning as a milestone for the company, saying the project started in 2018 but faced several challenges along the way.

Liabunya said EGENCO remains committed to generating and supplying more electricity to ensure that people across the country have improved access to power.