Illovo Interested In Power Generation

Illovo Sugar Company has become the third firm to show interest to self-generate power and sell the surplus to ESCOM, as a solution to the recurring power outages.

The interest comes at a time when the country continues facing prolonged blackout caused by the shutting down of the Kapichila Hydo-Power plant which was destroyed by some effects of the devastating, Tropical Ana.

Illovo Sugar Company Managing Director Lekani Katandula disclosed this on Friday at the company’s investors forum in Blantyre, where the company revealed a K10 Billion profit after tax in the first half of this year (2022)

“We (Illovo) intend to produce power which will be sufficient for our company usage, the surplus will be sold to the power utility body, Escom,” Katandula said.

Energy expert, Carlos Chibambo says diversification of power sources is what the country needs now to have decentralised systems and supplement power on the national grid.

“That is good news from Illovo, there is a huge need to diversify our energy sources if we are to make progress as a manufacturing company,” Chibambo said.