US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE585

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000585 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
DEPT FOR OES/PCI 
GABORONE FOR REO T. PIERCE 
DEPT OF INTERIOR FOR USBR/INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - M. HOOD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, ENRG, EAID, ECON, ETRD, MI, Economic, Energy, Environment 
SUBJECT: ELECTRICITY CORPORATION TO MANAGE AQUATIC WEEDS 
 
REF: LILONGWE 45 
 
1. (U) In an attempt to reduce load-shedding and power cuts 
caused by aquatic weeds clogging hydroelectric power 
stations, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi, 
Limited (ESCOM) has purchased a USD 795,000 aquatic weeds 
control system from American corporation Aquarius Systems 
(Aquarius).  ESCOM, which recently took over management of 
the weed problem for the Ministry of Transport and Public 
Works, had been paying approximately USD 26,000 per month to 
remove and dispose of the weeds.  ESCOM officials have said 
they see the purchase of the AS equipment as a medium-term 
answer to the problem, and they will continue to advocate for 
the GOM to seek a sustainable solution. 
 
2. (SBU) Aquarius representatives, whom post alerted to the 
situation in 2001, have confirmed that ESCOM plans to 
purchase a Swamp Devil Aquatic Vegetation Cutter, H-620 
Aquatic Plant Harvester, a trailer conveyor, shore conveyor, 
boom material, spare parts, work boat, truck, and three 
months on-site training.  The equipment, according to 
Aquarius, has a lifetime of at least 10 years, if properly 
maintained.  Aquarius representatives also said ESCOM is 
planning to use an Ex-Im Bank financing for one year, which 
they are organizing through an American bank in Milwaukee. 
 
COMMENT 
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3. (SBU) Continued load-shedding and blackouts have hindered 
economic development, and ESCOM's decision to engage more 
fully on this critical situation will provide much needed 
stability to Malawi's energy supply problems.  Post, however, 
still sees OES's pending Integrated Management of the Lake 
Malawi/Niassa/Nyasa Basin as an opportunity to find a 
long-term, sustainable solution to this problem, while also 
promoting general cooperation and coordination among the 
three nations bordering the lake.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC