Malawi and Mozambique Power Interconnector went live on test basis with a transfer of five megawatts (MW) of electricity as authorities continue discussions tariffs and other arrangements for commercial power trading. Secretary for Energy Elvis Thodi said in a statement that the interconnector has now been successfully hot-commissioned, with the 400 kiloVolts (kV) transmission line …
Malawi and Mozambique Power Interconnector went live on test basis with a transfer of five megawatts (MW) of electricity as authorities continue discussions tariffs and other arrangements for commercial power trading.
Secretary for Energy Elvis Thodi said in a statement that the interconnector has now been successfully hot-commissioned, with the 400 kiloVolts (kV) transmission line from Matambo Substation in Mozambique to Phombeya Substation in Malawi energised on August 8 2026.
He said the five MW Malawi imported on the day was symbolic to test and commission commercial metering equipment at Matambo Substation.
Said Thodi: “Following the hot-commissioning of the interconnection line, the Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi [Escom], Power Market Limited [PML] and Electricidade de Moçambique [EDM], is currently finalising discussions on the tariff and other arrangements required to facilitate commercial power trading.”
The Phombeya Substation in Balaka connected
to Mozambique. | Nation
The project is regarded as a lifeline for Malawi to the Southern Africa region through the 400kV power line as one of the regional backbone to allow the country to trade power with the flexibility the modern economy demands.
Centre for Social Concern economic governance programme officer Agness Nyirongo said given Malawi’s limited export earnings and persistent demand for foreign exchange to finance fuel, fertiliser, medicines and industrial imports, additional foreign currency commitments could place further pressure on the country’s external reserves.
The development comes after Electricity Generation Company last week attributed prevailing power generation challenges to shortfalls at its generation units which are operating below their installed capacity of 454.67MW.
The project was relaunched in 2021 and seeks to connect Malawi to Mozambique’s electricity grid, enhancing power reliability and advancing regional energy integration. Escom is implementing the project on behalf of the Malawi government.
