Dar assured of reliable power

 
PREMIER Kassim Majaliwa yesterday launched a 74.6bn/- electricity project in Dar es Salaam to improve power supply through strengthened infrastructure in the country’s commercial capital.

The mega-initiative, according to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) Managing Director, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, puts to an end the power blues, which were a serious nuisance in many parts of the city. 

 

Financed by the Finnish and Tanzanian governments at the rate of 94.3 and 5.7 per cent, respectively, the project involved construction of a sub-station in the city centre and setting up the Distribution SCADA System (DCS) centre at Mikocheni.

For the first time, the project also included construction of underground electricity transmission lines in addition to conventional overhead lines. The underground lines connect Makumbusho, City Centre, Kariakoo, Railway and Sokoine sub-stations.

“This means that if there is a fault at one substation that is likely to cause shortage at a respective area, information will immediately be relayed to the DC centre for the area to be connected to another station through the ring circuit technology,” Engineer Mramba explained.

Mr Majaliwa who represented President John Magufuli at the event, welcomed the ambitious project, highlighting the critical role that electricity plays in boosting industrialisation.

“Reliable power is critical in enabling the country to achieve the middle income economy dream as stipulated in the Tanzania Development Vision 2025,” the PM stated, challenging members of the public to optimally use the reliable electricity supply by setting up industries.

Apart from Dar es Salaam, Mr Majaliwa said the government has allocated 1trn/- in the current fiscal year to electricity supply to rural areas through the Rural Energy Agency (REA).

“The government aims to cover over 8,000 villages countrywide through the agency, we want 75 per cent of Tanzanians to have electricity by 2025,” he elaborated.

Finish Foreign Trade and Development Minister, Kai Mykkanen, speaking at the event, hailed Tanzania as among the countries that enjoy cordial development cooperation with Finland.

“I am glad that this project will bring about results we have been longing for ... I have been told by some economists at the World Bank that unreliable power and limited capital were among major factors impeding development in Tanzania,” the visiting minister remarked.

Mr Mykkanen hinted further the private sector could still access funds to the tune of 10 million Euros being provided by a Finish company, FINFUND, which disburses capital to enterprises investing in the energy sector.

Tanzania’s Energy and Minerals Minister, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, assured the PM that long gone were the days for power outages and rationing.

Prof Muhongo on the other hand hinted that he will have discussions with the power utility in regard to their recent application for review of power tariff. The new charges being applied for have been met with strong public criticism.