Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has challenged Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) to walk the talk as it implements its newly launched 2023-2027 Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP 27) to transform the energy sector.

Launching the plan at Sunbird Lilongwe on Friday, the minister, while commending Escom for coming up with an impressive blueprint, said the key lies in the implementation.

Said Matola: “In the past, we have seen such good plans come to nothing. I urge you to implement this ISP27. If we are to achieve Malawi 2063, we need reliable energy. We cannot be an industrial country without reliable energy.

“We cannot have fast trains without reliable energy. I have faith in Escom management and its board, so don’t let government down.”

Briefing the minister and guests during the launch, Escom chief executive officer Kamkwamba Kumwenda said the plan was formulated in line with Malawi 2063, energy laws and the dictates of reforms, among others.

He admitted that currently stakeholders and customers are frustrated with the level of services they are receiving as the previous ISP2022 did not meet its objectives.

“Escom must transform in the way it conducts its business in order to meet the expectations of its stakeholders and customers in the next four years,” said Kumwenda.

He outlined three strategic goals and said, among others, Escom seeks to achieve network reliability and availability, operational efficiency, effectiveness and safety as well as financial viability.

Said Kumwenda: “Among others, we want to focus on network maintenance, rehabilitation and capacity expansion. We want to achieve distribution of 98 percent from the current 95 percent and also maintain availability at 98 percent.

“We want to reduce average connection days from 204 days to 90 days and reduce fault response from 32 hours to within 24 hours. We also want to reduce losses both technical and commercial from 22.2 percent to 27 percent by 2027.”

The key themes in the plan are deliver for customers efficiency, drive value through positive stakeholders relationships and partnership, grow organisational capacity and empower staff.

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