Press Release Back Number(2006)

Chubu Electric to Consult for Regional Electrification Project in Africa

December 5, 2006
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (below, Chubu Electric) and KRI International Corp. (below, KRI) have recently accepted a joint mission as consultants to a regional electrification project in Malawi, a project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (below, JICA), one of independent administrative agencies.


The project, scheduled to run for three years up to November 2009, will help the regional electrification authorities of the Malawi government enhance their capacity to promote electrification in regions where 80% of Malawi's population lives.


For Chubu Electric, the project is part of our mission of providing overseas consulting, which in turn is a key component of our overseas energy business. We will be sending a Chubu Electric staff member to the area to be part of the team of specialists. Details of the initiative are as below.


Project overview

(1) Project name:

Malawi Regional Electrification Project


(2) Area of project:

Across the entire nation of Malawi


(3) Period of project:

December 2006 - November 2009 (36 months)


(4) Major tasks to perform (Chubu Electric will mainly be advising the following tasks):

  • • Oversight of power line extension work
  • • Establishment of financial management procedures associated with setting up regional electrification fund
  • • Technological oversight of solar energy generation system

(5) Project background

Malawi, which is approximately as large as the islands of Hokkaido and Kyushu put together (118,000 square km), has a population of roughly 12 million people. The average electrification rate for households is 7% nationwide. And yet in the regions where 80% of the population lives, that rate is only 1%. Most of non-electrified households depend on kerosene, firewood or other energy sources and are located in non-urbanized areas.

The government of Malawi is pursuing a program that recognizes the electrification of commercial districts, which are sprinkled across its regional areas, as fundamental to economic development. The Japanese government has supported the regional electrification program since 1999 mainly by providing funds, sending JICA specialists and performing development surveys and training. As the electrification program heads into its peak, the Malawi government is determined to use the current project to enhance the capacity of its electrification authorities to carry out its plans.



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Map of Malawi