EGENCO TO PLANT 14, OOO TREES
The Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) on Wednesday 5 March 2025, launched its tree planting activities for the 2024 / 2025 rainfall season by planting 1, 000 tree seedlings at Ntherechere hills in Kapichira, Chikwawa.
Speaking during the launch ceremony at the Kapichira football ground, Minister of Energy, Honorable Ibrahim Matola, who was also the Guest of Honor, highlighted the importance of trees to hydropower generation.
“Our trees play a critical role in supporting hydropower generation, we must prioritize their conservation and growth to safeguard this valuable resource”. Said Matola.
Echoing Matola’s sentiments, Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honorable Dr. Owen Chomanika, MP, who is also Member of Parliament for the area, urged his constituents to desist from wanton cutting down of trees.
“It is disheartening that the trees that we are planting today, some of us will come and cut them down tomorrow. I would like to urge us all to conserve these trees so that they should grow.” Said Chomanika.
In his remarks, EGENCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Dr. Maxon Chitawo said the Company was planting trees at Ntherechere to restore the environment in the area as it was used as a source of materials for bringing back its Kapichira Power Station when it was damaged by Cyclone Anna in 2022.
“We are planting these trees to restore the environment here at Ntherechere as we utilized local stones from these hills and cut down some trees in our effort to restore our Kapichira Power Station.” Said Chitawo.
This year, EGENCO will plant 14,000 tree seedlings covering over 30 hectares of land across all its power stations. The Company has also partnered with Lions Club of Blantyre to plant 1,000 trees seedlings along the banks of Lirangwe River, which pours into the Shire River, the main source of hydropower generation in Malawi.
