Background

Malawi generates most of its electricity from hydro power plants and 95% of these plants are located within the Shire River Basin in the Southern Region. However, Environmental degradation in many catchment areas within the Basin is seriously affecting the sustainability of power generation in the country.

Inappropriate land use and management practices, conflicting NRM policies, Weak enforcement of NRM legislation, population pressure, lack of alternative and affordable sources of energy are some of the key environmental problems in the Shire River Basin.

Over the past years, there has been a frequent power disruption caused by reduced generation capacity due to excessive siltation, weeds and trash which clog and damage generation plants at the power stations.

Since 2004 ESCOM has been implementing short and medium term measures to mitigate weed and silt problems: the measures include weed harvesting at Liwonde Barrage and all power stations and silt dredging at Nkula. 

It is clear that appropriate environment and natural resources management in the Shire River Basin is critical to the sustainability of the power sector investments, improved livelihoods and the protection of the ecosystems in the area.

Specific Activities of the Environment Component

The Environment component of the Malawi Compact has two major activities, namely; the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the Environment and Natural Resources Management Action Plan (ENRMAP).

 Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

Projects in the Malawi Compact shall be subjected to ESIA in accordance with national/international best practices.

This assessment will examine environmental, social and resettlement issues associated with the rehabilitation and expansion of power facilities resulting in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF).

A Power Sector Feasibility Study was launched in January 2010 and one of its objectives is to identify environmental and social issues and collect associated baseline data for the preparation of ESIA reports. This is being undertaken by ICF International and Core International. Draft ESIA reports are expected in August 2010 and final reports are due before the end of the year.

 Environment & Natural Resources Management Action Plan (ENRMAP)

The preparation of the ENRMAP will involve examining short, medium and long term options for managing environmental problems at ESCOM power generation facilities and in catchment areas within the Shire River Basin-location of study area Map.
           
Short and medium term options Include provision of a Weed Harvester at Liwonde Barrage, Dredgers at Kapichira and Tedzani and rehabilitation of the Dredger at Nkula power station. This will also include provision of trash diversion structures at Nkula, Tedzani and Kapichira.

Long term measures include implementation of specific interventions to promote improved natural resources management practices in priority catchments to sustain power investments. These interventions will be contained in the Environment and Natural Resources Management Action Plan (ENRMAP).

Environment and Natural Resources Management Action Plan (ENRMAP).

The action plan will assess environmental, social-economic and land use and management conditions in Malombe East and Malombe West upstream of the Liwonde Barrage. These two catchments contribute significantly to the siltation and weed infestation problems.

Based on this assessment, the action plan shall identify and prioritize specific interventions which MCC, Malawi Government and other donors could fund to address siltation and weed problems and promote sustainable land use practices in the two catchments.

The ENRMAP recognizes the priority program concepts in the Malawi Government National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and therefore it will contribute to the ongoing national effort for the management of climate change risks and opportunities. The action plan shall also serve as a key initiative to compliment other ENRM programmes in the Shire River Basin supported by other donors such as UNDP, JICA, the World Bank and others.

 Procurement for the ENRMAP is now underway and mobilization is expected by the end of May 2010. Interim reports (baseline assessment and economic analysis) are expected in August, 2010 and  a full action Plan is expected before the end of  2010.