With only 49 percent complete, Nyakanazi Power expansion project irks Energy Ministry

KAGERA: Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation of the Nyakanazi Power Substation expansion project, which aims to increase the facility’s transmission capacity from 220 kilovolts to 400 kilovolts, after it emerged that the contractor is behind schedule according to the project work plan.

Minister Ndejembi made the remarks during a surprise inspection visit to the substation located in Biharamulo District, Kagera Region, shortly after concluding his official tour of Kagera and Kigoma regions.

While receiving a progress report on the project, the minister was informed that the expansion works began in February 2023 and were expected to be completed by November 2026. However, by May 2026, the project construction was only 49 percent complete.

The contractor, Sean & Hyosung Consortium, attributed the delays to adverse weather conditions and late delivery of imported equipment.

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However, Minister Ndejembi rejected the explanation, arguing that weather-related challenges should have been factored into the contract planning process. He said the implementation timeline was designed with full awareness of seasonal conditions, including rainfall.

“When you signed the contract, you already knew that it rains. Weather cannot be used as an excuse because the implementation schedule had already taken such conditions into account,” Ndejembi said.

Following the delays, the minister directed the Managing Director of TANESCO not to grant the contractor any extension of time or additional payments outside the contract terms, insisting that the delays resulted from the contractor’s own shortcomings.

He further warned that the government would not hesitate to take legal action against contractors who violate contractual obligations and delay implementation of development projects.

The expansion of the Nyakanazi power transmission and distribution substation forms part of a broader project to strengthen the 400-kilovolt electricity transmission network from Kagera to Kigoma, aimed at improving electricity supply in Tanzania’s western regions.