TANESCO targets 1.6 million new electricity connections annually

ARUSHA: DEPUTY Managing Director of Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO), Eng Costa Rubagumya, has emphasised the need to connect 1.6 million people to electricity annually to achieve the national target of connecting 8.3 million people by 2030.

This national goal aligns with Africa’s broader target of providing energy access to 300 million people by 2030, as declared during the Africa Energy Summit held recently in Dar es Salaam.

According to Eng Rubagumya, in order for Tanzania to meet this target, the number of new connections must triple from the previous 500,000 per year to 1.6 million annually.

He made these remarks during the two-day East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit held in Arusha.

He further noted that Tanzania has been recognised by other African countries for its efforts in expanding electricity infrastructure. Out of 64,274 hamlets in the country, electricity has already been supplied to 12,318 villages and 34,000 hamlets, significantly improving the lives and economic well-being of citizens.

“Tanzania has successfully expanded electricity distribution and enhanced infrastructure development, particularly by creating an enabling environment for investment in the energy sector,” he said.

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He also called on energy stakeholders in the East African Community (EAC) to establish favourable policies, laws and systems that will encourage private sector investment in the energy value chain across the region.

On his part, Managing Director of Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Eng Joseph Siror, emphasised the need for African countries to reduce over dependence on hydroelectric power.

“In terms of electricity penetration, we are currently above 75 per cent as a country and one of the strategies employed by the government is securing funding for the lastmile connectivity,” he said.