Over 20,000 Ukerewe households to benefit from 20bn/- solar project

MWANZA: MORE than 20,000 households and 400 businesses on the islands of Ukerewe in Mwanza Region are expected to benefit from solar electricity services starting at the end of May this year, under a project estimated to cost over 20bn/-.

The development follows the near completion of a major off-grid solar power project aimed at serving communities that have long remained without access to electricity.

The project is being implemented by Rex Energy, a company engaged in engineering, procurement, construction and solar energy solutions.

The company’s mission is to provide clean solar energy to residential and commercial communities that may not have access to the national grid as a sustainable way of improving quality of life.

Rex Energy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Francis Kibhisa, told the Daily News recently that the project was driven by the firm’s success in the Lighting Rural Tanzania competition, a programme that promotes off-grid solar energy use in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He said the funds will cover project costs, electricity distribution, installation of power poles, construction works and installation of modern meters, in compliance with environmental standards under the supervision of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC).

Despite geographical challenges, Mr Kibhisa noted that the company has maintained a fast pace of implementation to ensure timely completion, in line with the government’s commitment to expanding access to clean and affordable energy in rural areas.

He added that the project is now in its final stages, and Ukerewe residents will soon begin to benefit from reliable electricity services. “This step will restore dignity in people’s lives, improve incomes and open up real development opportunities for residents,” he said.

Mr Kibhisa explained that the project, implemented under the Rural Energy Agency (REA) competitive programme, aims to accelerate rural electrification through renewable energy and is being rolled out in phases to ensure service quality and reliability.

He said the project is designed to ensure that every island in Ukerewe District receives a complete, selfsustaining electricity system, from generation to distribution.

“Each component of the project has been designed to meet the specific needs of the community and ensure longterm sustainability,” he added. According to Mr Kibhisa, access to electricity will drive economic and social transformation, including extending business hours, enabling fish preservation through refrigeration and reducing post-harvest losses.

He added that the service will also facilitate the use of clean energy in households, while schools are expected to extend learning hours and health facilities to improve vaccine storage and the operation of medical equipment.

He said the company is implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives by improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services at Kamasi Primary School as part of its contribution to the Ukerewe community.

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He noted that feasibility studies, engineering design, installation and construction of the distribution network have largely been completed, with the project now in its final stages of testing and customer connections.

He added that improved access to electricity in key fishing hubs is expected to enhance productivity and strengthen the island’s economy.