Milestone for JNHPP
…Samia to launch completed key stage
CONSTRUCTION of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Power Project (JNHPP) is taking a new shape with President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan slated to officiate at the opening of the diversion channel that will direct water into the dam for generation of electricity.
At a historic event to be held on Thursday, this week, Dr Samia is expected to press a button to signal opening of the diversion channel for the 2,115 megawatts (MW) project being built at a cost of 6.55tri/-.
The occasion is expected to be witnessed by over 300 guests from both the governments of Tanzania and Egypt.
Speaking to journalists at the construction site of the mega project to be built on River Rufiji yesterday, the Minister for Energy, Mr January Makamba, said the project has been completed by 78.68 per cent as of November, this year.
“The opening of the diversion channel by President Samia signals a significant momentum in implementation of the project, adding that the remaining part is switching on the turbines to start generating power,” Mr Makamba explained.
Mr Makamba elaborated further that the opening of the diversion channel is a significant step to pave the way for filling water into the dam to start generating power at the largest hydropower project in the region.
He added: “The dam to be used to generate water at the project measures about 916 km2 and it will be more of a lake than a dam given its vast size.”
Apart from generating electricity, the project is also crucial for controlling frequent flooding along the river and boosting tourism, since it has been built within the Julius Nyerere National Park where River Rufiji traverses.
The Minister mentioned other benefits associated with the dam at JNHPP as fishing as well as irrigation farming.
Mr Makamba elaborated that unlike other hydropower plants which depend on flowing water to generate electricity, the water to be stored at the JNHPP dam can produce electricity for three consecutive years even when there would be no rain.
“There are some people who have been doubting sustainability of JNHPP due to effects of climate change, but the truth is there will be enough water which can be used for up to three years in case there are no rains to fill up the river.
“For instance, Kihansi hydropower which depends on flowing water has an installed capacity to produce 180 megawatts but it only generates 17 megawatts at present, while Mtera which has a dam generates at full capacity at 80 megawatts despite lack of rains,” he explained.
To ensure smooth implementation of the project, the government has during the current fiscal year 2022/2023, allocated 1.44 tri/- for the JNHPP.
The project’s Egyptian contractors – Elsewedy Electric and Arab Contractors have on different occasions pledged to complete the project on time.
Electricity generated from the project will be transmitted via a new 400kV high voltage power line to a substation, where the power will be integrated into the national power grid.
The JNHPP is expected to transform the country through the generation and supply of reliable electricity for both domestic and industrial use, besides making the country improve in its manufacturing sector.
Implementation of the project is part of Tanzania’s Third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) spanning between 2021/22 and 2025/26 and the ruling CCM party manifesto for 2020-2025.
The JNHPP will be the largest electricity scheme installed in East Africa and among the largest in Africa in comparison to Egypt’s Aswan High Dam (2,100 MW), Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa Dam (2,075 MW) and Angola’s Lauca Dam (2,069 MW).
