TITLE:
Analysis of the Impact of Aquatic Weeds in the Shire River on Generation of Electricity in Malawi: A Case of Nkula Falls Hydro-Electric Power Station in Mwanza District, Southern Malawi
AUTHORS:
Maureen Kapute Mzuza, Lostina Chapola, Fanuel Kapute, Innocent Chikopa, Jimmy Gondwe
KEYWORDS:
Aquatic Weeds, Electricity Generation, Load Shedding
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.6 No.6,
June
26,
2015
ABSTRACT: A study was carried out to
analyse the extent to which diverse species of aquatic weeds that have
proliferated in the Shire River in Malawi in recent years affect the generation
of electricity at Nkula Hydro-Electric Station in Mwanza District of the
southern region of the country. Specifically, the study endeavoured to
establish whether frequent power interruptions that Malawi is facing are the
result of the problems caused by aquatic weeds in the Shire River which are
believed to disturb proper functioning of the machines at the power station. Study
results revealed that as much as the aquatic weeds impede power generation such
as blocking the turbines, problems of low power generation that result into
frequent and persistent load shedding are not entirely due to aquatic weeds.
Problems of inefficient machines and shut down of machines are due to serving,
which appeared to be the major cause.