Dar es Salaam — Tanzania has launched a 55MW solar power project at The University of Dodoma (UDOM).
The aim is to make it one of Africa's leading universities in renewable energy and sustainability the institution.
Speaking during a launching ceremony of the solar project and a new College of Renewable Energy and Sustainability at UDOM, Marty Kress, Head of Ohio State University's (OSU) Global Water Institute said the project upon completion will boost availability of electricity at the university and the region at large.
"The OSU is honored to partner with the UDOM to make the new School of Renewable Energy a reality. This transformational educational program will train the workforce of tomorrow, stimulate the growth of new firms and businesses, enable the transition of renewable energy systems to rural Tanzania, and open the door to collaborative research projects between both schools," he said.
He added that Construction of this utility-scale project is part of a UDOM strategy to establish itself as a global centre of excellence in renewable energy and sustainability, ensuring that Tanzania will have the trained workforce, research scientists, and entrepreneurs to lead the way on the African continent when it comes to the deployment of clean, local energy.
Kress said the new college's emphasis on renewable energy would have a substantial positive impact on delivery of clean water to rural parts of Tanzania.
"Solar-powered water pumps can provide clean water and improve health and sanitation for millions of Tanzanian," he said. OSU has committed itself to retrofit 125 village water well systems in partnership with UDOM. UDOM Vice Chancellor, Prof Idris Kikula said the power project will help reduce the cost of power as the institution currently spend $67,879 on electricity alone.