Nordics commit to support Tanzania’s energy grand plan

DODOMA: The Nordic countries have pledged their support to Tanzania’s National Energy Compact, reaffirming their commitment to partner with the Ministry of Energy in harnessing the nation’s energy resources.

This commitment aligns with Tanzania’s drive to provide reliable, affordable, sustainable, inclusive, and clean energy for all.

Speaking at a mini seminar organised in Dodoma on Monday afternoon as a part of the commemorations of the Nordic Week, Norway Ambassador to Tanzania, Tone Tinnes said Nordics were ready to support the country’s ambitious power plan by companies into Tanzania to develop the country’s electricity sub-sector.

The diplomat thanked the Government of Tanzania for recognising the Nordic countries’ contributions in the country’s energy sector, insisting on the necessity for a new discussion regarding the energy compact.

Opening the mini seminar that brought together energy stakeholders from the government, Nordics and private sector in the capital city, Ambassador insisted that the future holds great promise for Tanzania as the country eyes to become an upper middle-income country with improved welfare for all.

“But private sector engagement is key to fulfilling these ambitions. And today we will be focusing on the energy sector specifically. But a gearshift seems to be on the horizon. Or at least so we hope. Earlier this year Tanzania hosted the M300 conference,” she stated.

Explaining the purpose of bringing all energy stakeholders together was to unpack and learn more about the way forward, and how the compact will be translated into actions.

“We are among friends today. We are not posing for the media or anyone else. The goal is to have a frank and interactive discussion, so that we can better understand each other and the way forward. And by the end of the day, how we can help Tanzania meet its energy objectives,” she stated.

On his part, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Energy Engineer Felchesmi Mramba said Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland have been supporting the sector since the 1960s and under the umbrella of Nordic, the member states are willing to support the sector in various areas.

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In supporting the implementation of the National Energy compact, the PS stated, Nordic countries have shown interest in contributing to the plan through power generation with focuses on renewable sources and transmission.

“In the area of transmission, the Nordic companies are looking at how they can take part in providing expertise on transmission of power from one area to another, for example Chalinze to Arusha or Rukwa to Kigoma,” he said.

In the same Nordic spirit, he explained, the Tanzanian and Sweden are working tirelessly to restore the Hale Hydropower plant to full capacity of 21 megawatts, promising a brighter, more reliable energy future for the region.

Constructed in 1964, the plant’s capacity had dropped to only 4 megawatts.

Engineer Mramba noted that the rehabilitation was expected to boost its output and stabilise power transmission in Tanga and other northern regions.

During an African Heads of State summit (M300) in Dar es Salaam earlier this year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan unveiled the country’s energy grand plan to accelerate electricity access in the country, targeting 75 per cent coverage by 2030.

To achieve this goal within the next five years, the Head of State said an investment of 13 billion US dollars (approximately 32.8tri/-) will be required, of which 5 billion US dollars (around 12.5tri/-) is anticipated to come from the private sector.