Majaliwa: All prisons to shift to clean energy by 2027

KILIMANJARO: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Energy to ensure that all prisons across the country are connected to clean energy systems by 2027.

He said the move will significantly improve services for inmates, protect the health of prison staff and surrounding communities and safeguard the environment.

Mr Majaliwa made the call on Saturday, when he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the launch of the use of clean cooking energy in Tanzanian prisons.

The launch marked the beginning of a nationwide rollout of clean energy systems in all correctional facilities.

The Prime Minister explained that the initiative is part of the national strategy to phase out the use of dirty fuels in favour of clean cooking energy.

“Our President, Dr Samia, is recognised in Africa and globally for her strong advocacy of clean energy use. Today, you have shown through action that you support her vision,” he said.

He pointed out that a single prison can consume more than 100 tonnes of charcoal per year, valued at over 60m/- . With the shift to clean energy, these costs are expected to be reduced by more than 50 per cent.

Mr Majaliwa stressed that the development is commendable as it aligns with President Samia’s vision to ensure the wider community transitions to clean energy, ultimately eliminating the harmful effects associated with unclean sources.

He further noted that studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveal that smoke from firewood and charcoal contains harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, chronic cough and asthma.

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“By reducing dependence on such fuels, the Prison Service is directly contributing to improved air quality in correctional centres, enhancing productivity among staff and ensuring the welfare of inmates,” Mr Majaliwa said.

Meanwhile, he said the private sector has a major role to play in ensuring that the country achieve its renewable energy goals, where he has advised relevant government authorities to ensure they collaborate with the private sector so that the uses of clean energy goals are achieved.

“The government has set the ambitious targets for clean energy, aiming for 80 per cent of Tanzanians should be using clean energy by 2034; this goal is being pursued through various initiatives which if supported by the private sector, the target will be achieved”, he noted.

Speaking during the occasion, the Chairman of the Rural Energy Agency (REA) Board, Retired Major General Jacob Kingu said that the agency has and continue to implement clean energy programmes in different parts of the country.

“In light of the clean energy cooking strategy, REA has approved the implementation of clean energy cooking projects which are at various stages of implementation and we have already installed clean energy cooking systems in 22 National Youth Service (JKT) camps in 14 regions”, he said.

He added, “Our intention is to rapidly accelerate the speed of deploying clean energy infrastructure throughout the country including in rural areas setups, where many people use firewood as sources of energy; we intend to maintain this rate of speed through 2034 to make sure the clean energy goals in the country are achieved”.