Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE585
2004-06-28 15:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:
ELECTRICITY CORPORATION TO MANAGE AQUATIC WEEDS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
SUBJECT: ELECTRICITY CORPORATION TO MANAGE AQUATIC WEEDS
REF: LILONGWE 45
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
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
--------------
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
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
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
--------------
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