KATAVI: THE Katavi Region is set to be connected to the national power grid, guaranteeing a reliable electricity supply, thanks to a Tanesco project that is now 91 per cent complete.
The region is projected to receive the power from the grid end of next month as Tanesco’s work progress steadily towards its final stages.
The Project Supervisor, Eng Abdulazizi Ngozi, stated over the weekend that the entire region will transition from diesel generating power to electricity from the national grid, significantly reducing the monthly costs, which currently exceed 2.0bn/-.
“The construction of 132KV power transmission lines, stretching 383 kilometres from Tabora to Mpanda, Katavi has reached 91 per cent of completion…. “Mlele will be connected to the national grid by the end of this month while Mpanda municipality by the end of next month,” Eng Ngozi said.
The project supervisor was briefing Mlele District Commissioner Mr Majjid Mwanga over the project’s progress at Inyonga, Mlele substation.
The project is full-funded by the government at 116bn/-. The DC said power rationing once Mlele is connected to the national power grid at the end of this month will be history.
Additionally, the government has a plan to connect Rukwa and Songwe regions to national power grid by constructing 400 KV double lines via backbone transmission project.
The project is funded by the World Bank (WB) and the procedure of engaging the contractor has started.
Rukwa receives electricity from four diesel-powered generators installed at Sumbawanga substation with capacity to generate 3.75 Megawatts of electricity and also from Lunzua Hydropower station in neighbouring Zambia.
