Tanesco orders timely completion of the TAZA power project

IRINGA: THE Managing Director of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), Lazaro Twange, has inspected the progress of the Tanzania–Zambia (TAZA) Power Project in the Iringa and Njombe regions and directed the project supervisors to ensure that the construction of power transmission lines, along with the receiving, stepping-down, and distribution substations, is completed on time as stipulated in the contracts.

Mr Twange gave the directives on Wednesday in Tanga, where the TAZA Power Project focuses on the construction of the transmission lines and substations at Tagamenda and Kisada.

“We must ensure there is strong project oversight for significant results and ensure citizens benefit on schedule. It is important to supervise the contractors effectively during, don’t conduct routine oversight but manage with professionalism and urgency so that the impact of these projects will be visible and citizens receive services on time,” he said.

Moreover, Mr Twange also inspected the expansion projects of the Cotex in Iringa and that of Makambako in Njombe power substations, which have largely been completed and are already serving customers.

Commending the outcome of the projects, he said that the electricity situation in Iringa and Njombe regions has improved, with infrastructure now capable of meeting both current and future demand.

However, the Managing Director expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation of the TAZA Project, noting that the construction of the power transmission lines has reached over 60 percent, while the substations are at 31 percent completion while saying that TANESCO will oversee the projects efficiently to achieve national goals of reliable electricity access.

The Tanzania-Zambia (TAZA) Power Project involves constructing a 620 km, 400 kV double-circuit transmission line to connect the Tanzanian and Zambian electricity grids.

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The project aims to increase power transmission capacity, enhance regional energy trade, and improve electricity access and reliability in southwestern Tanzania.

It also plays a role in linking the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) with the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).