Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola says the estimated duration for completion of Kapichira Hydro Power Plant construction is six months.

The Plant, which stopped functioning due to impacts of cyclone Ana, was contributing 129.6 megawatts of power to the national grid.

Matola, who was addressing journalists this on Friday in Lilongwe, said the nation will continue experiencing the six-hour load shedding programme for the meantime.

He added that the country continues relying on 78 megawatts emergency diesel generators, among other sources of power.

Matola said “EGENCO lost generation from Kapichira I and II power plants which generate a total of 129.6 megawatts.

“The loss of generation is as a result of complete damage to the whole of the intake structure, technically called dyke, which controls the flow of water from Shire river to the power plants.”

He added that without this structure, power generation is not possible under the prevailing design.

According to the Minister, the current installed capacity is 444.67 megawatts by EGENCO, 60 megawatts by JCM in Salima, 26 megawatts by JCM at Golomoti, 8.43 megawatts by Muloza Hydro in Mulanje and 78 megawatts by Aggreko making a total 617.1 megawatts installed capacity.

Meanwhile, EGENCO says rough estimate for the immediate works to restore the Kapichira plant is K18 billion.