The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited is nearing completion of the first phase of its ambitious Eastern Backbone Transmission Line Project, aimed at improving power reliability in Malawi’s Central and Northern regions.
The first phase, to be completed in November 2025, will involve Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Ressetlement policy framework. The second phase will be the procurement and tendering stages and the successful contractor will be engaged in 2026 with construction projected to span for two to two-and-half years.
According to ESCOM’s Chief Engineer for Transmission, Leonard Machonjo, the initiative involves the rehabilitation of a 242-kilometre (km) and new 177km of 132kV transmission line connecting the Nkhoma Substation to Chintheche. 51.2km, Nkhoma-Nanjoka, 96.6km Nanjoka Nkhotakota, 48.3km Nkhotakota Dwangwa, 97.2km Dwangwa-Chintheche, 82.7km Nkhotakota-Chinyama and 43.2km Chinyama-Kanyika. The line upgrade will involve replacing aging wooden poles with durable lattice steel towers.
“The Eastern Backbone Transmission Line Project is a strategic investment to ensure improved power stability and reliability in areas that have experienced frequent outages. The ESIA findings will be key in informing funding decisions and next steps, including contractor selection,” he said.
Machonjo said pending a positive outcome of the assessment and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) which is being funded by the Swedish government, ESCOM will immediately move into the procurement and tendering stages.
“The project is expected to benefit districts such as Salima, Ntchisi, Nkhotakota, parts of Kasungu, and the entire Northern Region, where electricity supply has long been hampered bi-weak transmission infrastructure,” he said.
The European Union has pledged substantial support to the project.
During a signing ceremony held in Lilongwe in July 2024, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to financing the project through a €30 million grant.
An additional €55 million concessional loan will be provided by the European Investment Bank, while the African Development Bank is also expected to co-finance the initiative.
Commenting on the project, ESCOM’s Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Mr. Pilirani Phiri, said the Eastern Backbone initiative is a vital step in fulfilling the utility’s mandate of providing reliable and sustainable power to Malawians.
“This project is a demonstration of ESCOM’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and ensuring a more stable power supply across the country. By addressing long-standing weaknesses in our transmission network, we are not only improving service delivery but also contributing to national development goals,” he said.
Phiri added that ESCOM is working closely with all stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards while advancing toward timely implementation.
“As we move through these critical phases, we remain focused on delivering a future where every Malawian can rely on a dependable power supply,” he said.