REA scales up access to clean cooking energy
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Rural Energy Agency (REA) is expanding efforts to shift millions of Tanzanians from firewood and charcoal to clean cooking energy, targeting 80 per cent adoption by 2034 under the national clean energy strategy.
At the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), REA Director General Eng Hassan Saidy highlighted the agency’s focus on expanding clean energy access in rural areas, where nearly 96 per cent of households still rely on traditional biomass fuels.
“REA ensures rural communities access all forms of clean energy, including electricity, clean cooking fuels, and petroleum products, through various projects at different stages of completion,” said Eng Saidy at the REA pavilion.
ALSO READ: Samia’s nuclear energy vision set to power economy
The National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy Use aims for at least 80 per cent of Tanzanians to use safe, sustainable cooking solutions by 2034, with REA playing a key role in this goal.
Eng Saidy emphasised efforts to raise awareness about the health and environmental risks of unsafe fuels and to improve access to affordable clean technologies.
“There’s a misconception that clean cooking energy is expensive. Improved technologies reduce energy loss, saving money in the long run,” he explained.
“People also overlook hidden costs like the time and effort spent collecting firewood.”
He praised the President’s strong support for clean cooking energy, which has enabled the implementation of strategic nationwide programs.
Notably, the government offers a 50 per cent subsidy on 6kg LPG cylinders and burners, with 452,000 subsidised cylinders distributed across mainland Tanzania and an additional 110,000 provided through Members of Parliament two years ago.
REA has also successfully transitioned all 129 prison facilities from unsafe fuels to clean cooking energy and is now extending this to prison officers and their families.
“In response to the President’s directive that all institutions serving over 100 people must use clean cooking energy, we plan to support over 400 institutions this year, including National Service camps (JKT) and more than 50 schools,” Eng Saidy said.
He also highlighted REA’s soft loan project supporting rural fuel stations to ensure fair prices and reliable access to petrol and diesel in rural communities.
