[{"bbox": [144, 150, 1083, 265], "category": "Text", "text": "households (NSO, 2019). An EU gender analysis (2018) on the infrastructure sectors in Malawi found that that energy interventions can contribute to women's economic empowerment and achieving greater gender equality and equity and that opportunities exist to create synergies between gender considerations and profitable and efficient investments."}, {"bbox": [144, 282, 402, 315], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [144, 327, 1083, 649], "category": "Text", "text": "The national grid suffers from years of underinvestment, while ESCOM as the transmission and distribution company is constrained by weak financial performance and non-cost reflective tariffs. The efficient distribution of power and the addition of new renewable energy (RE) resources are constrained by overloading in critical parts of the ageing network. There is a need to improve strategic planning of priority investments in the national grid and to secure the necessary funding. The updating of the generation and transmission plans are ongoing and are expected to be published by the end of 2023. The Eastern Backbone is already identified as a priority and will facilitate new connections and better serve existing customers. Increasing energy access requires support across the value chain including generation and transmission infrastructure that can support new connections. Limited central to north transmission poses challenges in supplying the northern region from the hydropower plants in the south. Additionally, potential new investments in renewable energy in the northern region are currently constrained by the limited carrying capacity of the existing network."}, {"bbox": [144, 673, 1083, 957], "category": "Text", "text": "The existing 132 kV transmission system from the central to the northern region relies on old wooden pole-mounted power lines, which are prone to regular failure. This results in low energy efficiency and a poor quality of service of electricity in the central region (Salima and Kasungu) and particularly the northern region (Nkhotakota, Dwangwa and Chintheche), where supply is frequently interrupted for long periods. Overall, the low reliability and security of the power supply to central and northern regions is holding back economic growth. Large consumers in the northern region cannot expand their production, as is the case for a cement factory which is relying on diesel generators to manage peak production. There is also increased investor interest in the mining sector, particularly for rare earths which can support the sustainable energy transition. Increased economic activity is expected to drive further consumer demand for connections and increase the access rate."}, {"bbox": [144, 976, 1083, 1120], "category": "Text", "text": "Design, operation and maintenance of a new 132 kV power line will present new challenges for ESCOM. Therefore, capacity building needs to strengthen skills and knowledge have been identified and include design of climate resilient power lines and substations, live-line maintenance of electrical systems to minimise interruptions, and power system protection principles and practices to safeguard electrical grids from faults and outages."}, {"bbox": [144, 1136, 1083, 1252], "category": "Text", "text": "Young graduates, in particular women, find it very difficult to secure a start in their profession in the limited job market. As an EU initiative, young women graduates have been hired under the ongoing Malawi Energy Programme – Wala Malawi and the M1-road Rehabilitation project. This has proved successful in providing them with a first professional job and enhancing their future employability."}, {"bbox": [144, 1268, 1083, 1325], "category": "Text", "text": "Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:"}, {"bbox": [144, 1338, 1083, 1395], "category": "Text", "text": "The key institutional stakeholders are identified in the table below with their respective mandates, potential roles and capacities:"}, {"bbox": [144, 1407, 1080, 1562], "category": "Table", "text": "<table><thead><tr><td>Stakeholder</td><td>Mandate</td><td>Role and capacities</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs</td><td>Responsible for economic and fiscal policies and strategic guidance on economic and development planning.</td><td>Negotiating and signing of sovereign loan agreement.</td></tr></tbody></table>"}, {"bbox": [975, 1680, 1080, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 19"}]