Dar eyes nuclear power to boost energy capacity

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has announced Tanzania’s plan to integrate nuclear power into the national electricity grid as part of efforts to meet the country’s growing energy demands driven by industrial expansion.

Dr Biteko made the remarks yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa, held in Kigali, Rwanda.

“The government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Ministry of Energy, under my leadership, to ensure that electricity generated from nuclear sources is incorporated into the National Grid,” he said.

In response to the directive, Dr Biteko noted that the government is actively pursuing strategic initiatives, including inter-agency collaboration to support the development of nuclear power, recognised as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy source.

He said that, among ongoing efforts, Tanzania recently held a high-level workshop in June 2025 aimed at building awareness among stakeholders on nuclear energy, including discussions on establishing a dedicated institution to coordinate and oversee nuclear energy initiatives.

“Tanzania is committed to creating a conducive environment for the development of nuclear power, by formulating robust policies and establishing legal and regulatory frameworks to manage nuclear resources and guide power generation,” Dr Biteko stressed.

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He further noted that the government is prioritising investment in human capital to support the use of nuclear technology not only in the energy sector but also in health, agriculture and other strategic areas.

Dr Biteko cited existing policy frameworks, including the National Energy Policy, the Renewable Energy Strategy and the Mineral Development Policy, which already recognise nuclear energy as a key component of the country’s future energy mix.

He added that the government plans to update the 2013 Nuclear Technology Policy, to align with recent technological developments and international best practices.

Opening the summit, Rwanda’s Prime Minister Dr Edouard Ngirente underscored the role of nuclear energy in achieving his country’s 2050 Development Vision, which aims to transform Rwanda into a high-income economy.

“Nuclear power is safe, reliable and independent of weather conditions such as rainfall. It will play a crucial role in advancing our technological and economic development,” Dr Ngirente said.

He stressed the importance of African countries taking the lead in adopting clean and sustainable energy solutions to meet rising demands while protecting the environment.

Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Zeine, echoed similar sentiments, revealing that Niger has already launched its nuclear energy programme to complement existing sources such as hydropower.

“Nuclear power is clean and highly effective for addressing electricity needs across Africa,” he stated.

Chairperson of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, Dr Lassina Zerbo said Rwanda is in the final stages of establishing nuclear power plants.

He said that this milestone was made possible by strong political commitment and public confidence in nuclear technology.

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit, which began on June 30 and concludes today, brought together key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

The goal is to accelerate the adoption of nuclear energy technologies to support sustainable and inclusive energy transformation across the continent.