Tanesco plans two generators to boost supply in Mpanda Municipality

 

THE Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has embarked on a project to generate power by setting up two generators for the production of 1.25 megawatt each in Mpanda Municipality through ORIO project.

The Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Dr Medard Kalemani, said the projects, whose construction started last year, are intended to be completed in July next year. 

 

He told the House that the project, to cost 12.21bn/- and jointly sponsored by the government and the Netherlands, is aimed to bring to an end power problems in Mpanda.

Dr Kalemani gave the statistics when answering Ms Rhoda Kunchela (Special Seats-CCM) on when Katavi Region, especially Mpanda District, will have reliable power supply as its shortage has for a long time been a stumbling block for economic development in the concerned areas.

He added that the government is going on with the construction of the project, which intends to connect Rukwa, Katavi and Kigoma regions to the national grid.

Upon completion of the project, which includes construction of a 400- KV over a 1,148-kilometre stretch from Mbeya-Sumbawanga-Mpanda- Kigoma to Nyakanazi, the regions will be assured of reliable power supply.

“We believe that when projects are in place, the regions will be relieved of reliance on generators for power, which have been experiencing breakdowns now and then – making residents and development projects fail to prosper as planned at the end of the day,” he said.

Dr Kalemani told the House that for the time being, a feasibility study was underway -- as the first phase of the project -- from Mbeya to Sumbawanga -- will be completed in 2018 while the entire project will be handed over in 2022. It will cost 664 million US dollars.