No more power shedding – Premier
DODOMA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has officially declared an end to power shedding, as the country, through the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco), now generates electricity that exceeds demand.
The Premier declared an end to power rationing on Friday in Dodoma when closing the Tanzania Energy Week 2024 exhibitions that were organised by the Ministry of Energy.
All institutions under the ministry, including the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) and Tanesco took part in the exhibitions.
As he announced an official ending of power shedding, Prime Minister Majaliwa ordered Tanesco to do away with bureaucracy when handling power connection applications from customers.
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The PM registered his concern that he has been receiving complaints from the public on delays by Tanesco to connect customers’ houses to power despite settling power connection charges. He said President Samia Suluhu Hassan wants all Tanzanians to have access to reliable power, a goal that may not be achieved if Tanesco will continue condoning bureaucracy when offering services to customers.
The Premier said, in a span of three years of President Samia’s leadership, Tanzanians have witnessed massive transformation in the energy sector. He said the President’s vision and directives brought significant impact to the sector.
The Premier said in three years, President Samia spent over 8.18tri/-, bringing reforms into the energy sector. He said the commencement of power generation at Julius Nyerere Hydro Power plant is a clear indication that ‘Our Mother Is At Work.’ The Premier showered praises on his deputy, Dr Doto Biteko, who also serves as Minister for Energy, for the job well done in the energy sector.
“Yesterday, I heard Honourable Biteko announcing the end of power shedding across the country. I congratulate him for the achievement. I would like to say that the energy sector is now calm,” the PM acknowledged.
Specifically speaking on electricity, Mr Majaliwa said the sixth phase government plans to generate 5,000 megawatts by next year.
“As I said before, actions speak louder than words. This goal will be achieved, given the fact that the government continues with implementation of Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (2,115 MWs), Kishapu Solar Power project in Shinyanga Region (150 MWs), Kinyerezi I Extension (185 MWs) and others.
According to Mr Majaliwa, the government is determined to connect all villages and hamlets to power. He said until March this year, a total of 11,850 villages out of the total 12,318, equivalent to 96.2 per cent, and 32,837 hamlets, equivalent to 51 per cent had been connected to power.
He said the remaining 31,532 hamlets will be connected to power within five years. The exhibitions were organised for the objective of informing MPs and the general public on transformations occurring in the energy sector, challenges resolve in just three years, and the strategic projects implemented.
The exhibitions also served as platform for MPs and the general public to be informed on the ministry’s short, medium and long term strategies and plans to be implemented by the government, including responding to issues.
