Biteko tables 1.8tri/- power solution budget
DODOMA: THE government has promised to find a permanent solution for reliable electricity in the country, with the state of electricity generation in the country rising from 1,872.1 Mega Watts (MW) to 2,138 MW, about 14.2 per cent rise, as of March 2024.
Presenting the budget estimates of 1.8tri/- for the 2024/25 fiscal year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko (pictured) said the government will ensure a permanent access solution by ensuring infrastructure repairs and increasing electricity connections in the National Grid.
Dr Biteko added that the Ministry will manage, strengthen and develop the energy sector, which has already boosted power generation following the implementation of various mega electricity generation projects in the country.
“In recognition of the importance of energy in stimulating and accelerating the economic and social development of our nation, in the year 2024/25, the Ministry of Energy will continue to take effective measures to manage, strengthen and develop the energy sector, with the aim of ensuring the sector contributes to the development of the nation accordingly,” said Dr Biteko.
Minister Biteko said the increase in electricity is 836.3 MW from hydropower, 1,198.8 MW from natural gas, 92.4 MW of heavy oil and 10.5 MW from biomass.
He said the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectricity Project (JNHPP) with the capacity to produce2,115 MW where production has already started with 235 MW through the Number Nine plant, is expected to be completed in December, 2024 for all eight plants with the capacity to generate 235 MW each.
Dr Biteko has argued that the big task in front of them is to ensure that the country has electricity that meets the needs of the present and the future, with reliable electricity that comes from various sources (energy mix) considering its importance for economic and social development.
He said the government will continue to implement the project to strengthen the National Grid Stabilization Project by continuing with the construction of electricity transmission lines and cooling stations.
He further said that the government will also continue to carry out repairs in power plants, infrastructure for transporting and distributing electricity as well as cooling stations to ensure reliable electricity is available at all times.
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In the next financial year, he said the government will also carry out exemplary and strategic projects for oil and natural gas, including the project to process natural gas into liquid (Liquefied Natural Gas – LNG Project) and the construction of a pipeline to transport oil from Hoima, Uganda to Tanga.
The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that other priorities are to continue to strengthen the use of clean cooking energy in the country as well as the availability of fuel energy in rural areas through the establishment of fuel stations.
He added that the government continues to be sure of the availability of petroleum products as well as efficiency in handling the availability of these products, strengthening the investment and participation of the private sector in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas in the country.
Regarding the rural electrification projects executed by the Rural Energy Agency (REA), he said the plan is in place to supply electricity to 20,000 villages across the country, a move envisaged to stimulate economic growth.
In order to increase the use of clean energy for cooking in the country, he said the ministry has planned to implement the National Strategy for the Use of Clean Energy for Cooking 2024 – 2034 by providing solutions to the obstacles to the use of the said energy, including the high cost and poor availability and shortage of its infrastructure.
In addition, he said EWURA will continue to manage the control of energy services in the country by managing service providers in accordance with the law, rules and procedures to ensure that citizens get the best and most reliable services. He pointed out that challenges facing the ministry include production of electricity and natural gas does not match the needs due to the growth of economic and social activities and the deterioration of the infrastructure for distributing electricity.
He mentioned another challenge as acts of sabotage to the infrastructure, promising to take legal action against those who carry out such acts.
He called on executives to take strict actions against those who are found committing acts of sabotage and criminality on the electricity infrastructure, which causes great loss and inconvenience to consumers.
