Implementation of national energy compact in top gear
DODOMA: IN a significant move to improve energy access, the government is actively working on the implementation of the National Energy Compact, signed last month during the African Heads of State Energy Summit.
This was revealed in a meeting held in Dodoma over the weekend, where the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba (pictured), convened with ministry officials to explore ways to implement the ambitious plan.
The plan aims to provide electricity to 8.3 million citizens by 2030 and ensure that 75 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy.
Eng Mramba said that after the compact’s signing, the time for action is now.
He stressed the need to clarify project execution details, identify funding sources, engage the private sector and make necessary policy adjustments to support the plan.
“After the signing of the Energy Compact, the focus now shifts to implementation. This meeting will help us understand our direction, how the planned projects will be executed, how funding will be secured, how the private sector will be involved and whether there are any policies, regulations, or laws that need to be adjusted. We need answers to effectively implement this initiative,” said Eng Mramba.
He further stressed the importance of the initiative in ensuring that both citizens and industries, as well as social service providers, have sufficient access to electricity.
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The Permanent Secretary issued directives to ministry officials to clearly outline projects and secure funding for their implementation.
“Currently, we have sufficient electricity, but we cannot be complacent as demand continues to rise from industries, electric trains and mining operations. We must strategically plan to secure funding for new projects and this is achievable because our National Energy Compact has been recognised as the best among other African countries,” he added.
To meet the compact’s goals, Eng Mramba called for a shift in operational practices. He encouraged innovation from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to establish new methods for connecting 1.7 million customers annually, up from the current 500,000.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various organisations, including TANESCO, PRIME Minister, Kassim Majaliwa displays a dummy cheque of 6,000 US dollars presented to Mohammed Yacine from Algeria (on his left), who was the winner of the 33rd International Quran Preservation Awards at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Left is the Chief Sheikh, Abubakar Zubeir Ally and other officials. (Photo by PMO) ORD862339 REA, the Petroleum Development Corporation of Tanzania (TPDC), the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) and Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC).
It is also noteworthy that on January 27-28, Heads of State from over 25 African nations gathered at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam for the Energy Summit, known as “Mission 300”.
The summit, organised in collaboration with the government, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, resulted in the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which aims to ensure electricity access for half of the 600 million people living in Southern Africa.
