DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania's ability to generate electricity has surpassed demand driven by the country's growing economy and accelerating urbanization. This is primarily because of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project Plant, which is now only half operational.
Tanzania has been gifted with a variety of energy resources, many of which are still unexplored, such as biomass, uranium, solar, wind, hydro, coal, geothermal, and natural gas.
The total installed energy capacity was 1,938.35 Megawatts as of December 31, 2023. At the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project Plant, two turbines with an installed capacity of 235 MW each were recently put into service in March and April of this year, bringing the total installed capacity to 2,408 MW.
The nation's peak demand, 1,482.80 MW, was recorded in August 2023. Engineer Mramba, urged Tanzanians to increase their investments in energy-intensive industries, stressing that the country now has a sufficient and dependable supply of electricity.
Furthermore Mramba emphasized, "We remain committed to diversifying our energy sources despite the existence of power sources like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which has significantly increased our installed capacity to meet current and future demands."
Mramba added on to say that initiatives are in place to boost capacity using a variety of energy sources, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy. "Our strategy includes projects like the 150 MW Kishapu Solar Power Project, the 300–400 MW Wind Power Projects in Singida and Makambako, the 49.5 MW Malagarasi Hydropower Project, the 87 MW Kakono Hydropower Project, the 180.2 MW Songwe Dam and Hydropower Plant, the 222 MW Rumakali Hydropower Project, and the 358 MW Ruhudji Hydropower Project."
Ministry of Energy stated that TANESCO had been continuously working to meet its commitments and make sure the nation had enough electricity. However, encourage the state-owned utility to innovate more in order to improve the affordability and quality of its services.
"In order to maintain our competitiveness on a global scale, we must prioritize research and technology adoption in the energy sector," Eng. Mramba concluded.