Transmission Business Unit operates the national electricity grid. It comprises of transmission power lines and substations which are operated at high voltage levels. The transmission power lines are either on wood or steel towers. The National Control Centre and Projects fall under transmission.

Steel Tower Lines

Transmission infrastructure includes high voltage power lines, power transformers and switchgear.
ESCOM has a transmission network comprising of 1250 km of wood pole lines and 815 km of steel tower lines. These lines transmit bulk power at 66000 volts and 132000 volts, and feed power to over 70 transformers which are located at 39 substations in the country. Power transformers step-up generation voltages of 11000 volts to 66000 or 132000 volts for transmission to major load centres where these voltages are then stepped down to 33000 and 11000 volts for distribution to customers. In future it is expected that a 220000 volts transmission line will link Malawi to Caborra Bassa in Mozambique thereby enabling the two countries’ power utilities to conduct power trading

wood pole lines

The transmission system is the backbone of any electricity supply company. A strong transmission system supports consumer needs in terms of cost-effectiveness, security and reliability.

| Generation | Distribution | Holding |