Tanzania nears 5,000 MW power generation target

RUFIJI: TANZANIA is edging closer to its 5,000 megawatt (MW) electricity generation target by the end of the year, with the national grid currently producing 3,796.79 MW.

This milestone marks significant progress toward meeting the country’s growing energy demands, driven by various ongoing and completed power generation projects.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Gerson Msigwa, provided the update yesterday, saying that the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP), which is expected to generate 2,115 MW, is now 99.8 per cent complete.

“The total cost of the JNHPP is 6.558tri/-, of which 6.230tri/-, representing 95.8 per cent has already been paid to the contractor,” Mr Msigwa said.

He noted that eight turbines of the JNHPP have already been activated, contributing 1,880 MW to the national grid so far.

The final turbine is expected to begin trials on February 25 and March 10, this year, aiming to complete the 2,115 MW and push the national grid’s electricity generation to 4,000 MW.

Mr Msigwa made this announcement at the JNHPP site, located at the border of the Coast and Morogoro regions.

He added that the government’s ongoing efforts align with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s 2020- 2025 election manifesto, which promised to increase power generation to 5,000 MW by the end of 2025.

The National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) (2021 – 2026) also set the target of achieving the same.

Some of the key interventions in efforts to optimise the energy sector as indicated in the FYDP III is to strengthen the availability and reliability of electrical power by increasing generation capacity, transmission and distribution networks; construct and strengthen natural gas supply infrastructures for domestic, industrial and transport use.

FYDP III is also intended to promote and develop renewable energy technologies and projects (Biogas, Geothermal, LPG, Solar and Wind Energies), particularly for rural households, strengthen sustainable use and management of oil and natural gas, develop renewable energy sources for cooking to mitigate climate change and strengthen the availability of oil and natural gas by enhancing petroleum exploration and development activities.

And, according to Mr Msingwa, several power projects have already been completed, with others still in progress.

He mentioned that the Chalinze substation, being built alongside the JNHPP, has reached 92 per cent completion.

Regarding the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project (RRFHP), which generates 80 MW, Msigwa said it is 99.7 per cent complete, with Tanzania set to receive 27 MW, while Rwanda and Burundi will share the remaining capacity.

He also provided updates on other power generation projects, such as the Kinyerezi One Extension, which is 97.6 per cent complete and contributes 160 MW to the national grid.

He said the Malagarasi Power Project, which will generate 49.5 MW, has secured contractors and work is set to begin in March this year, with completion expected by October 2027.

Mr Msigwa further mentioned the Kakono Hydro Power Plant (HPP), which has a capacity of 87 MW and is currently in the procurement stage.

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The project is estimated to cost 724bn/-. There is also ongoing work on a 150 MW solar energy project in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region, which is 50 per cent complete.

“The geothermal power generation project in Ngozi, Mbeya, which will produce 70 MW, is currently at the rock drilling stage to verify geothermal energy reserves, aiming to begin electricity production soon,” he said.

Mr Msigwa said that the government is planning to sell electricity to neighboring countries facing energy shortages.

“A recent Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam discussed establishing a common market to facilitate electricity trade between countries. We are building power lines to neighbouring countries to enable this,” he said.

Projects to transport electricity from Tanzania to neighbouring countries, including Zambia and Kenya, are also underway, with connections to both the northern and southern grids.

He said that the 624-kilometre power transmission line from Tanzania to Zambia, with a 400 kilovolt (kV) capacity, is currently 34 per cent complete.

In terms of regional grid connections, Mr Msigwa said that Tanzania has successfully connected to Kenya through the Legumul substation in Arusha.

As a member of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), Tanzania now has the capacity to both sell and purchase electricity within the region.

Several projects are ongoing to connect regions within Tanzania to the national grid. One such project is the 32 kV transmission line from Tabora to Katavi through Ipole and Iyonga, which is 92 per cent complete and has cost 164.64bn/-.

Another major project is the construction of a 220 kV electricity transmission line from Songea to Tunduru, with a length of 214 kilometres.

The Tunduru substation, which is 51 per cent complete, is expected to be finished by September this year. “We are also constructing a 220 kV electricity transmission line from Songea to Tunduru.

This is significant, as these areas have been relying on generators,” he explained.

Mr Msigwa also mentioned the ongoing efforts to address the country’s electricity challenges, including the launch of the ‘Grid Imara’ project, a 4tri/- initiative aimed at upgrading the electricity infrastructure.

On a broader scale, Mr Msigwa noted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve various sectors, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries,