By Alfred Zacharia
SUMBAWANGA: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko has laid a foundation stone for the implementation of Tanzania-Zambia (TAZA) power project that will see the country is connected with 13 member countries of the Southern Power Pool (SAPP) via Zambia and the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) via Kenya.
The project will cost Sh1.4 trillion sourced from development partners including the World Bank (Sh1 trillion) France Development Agency (Sh3.2 billion), the European Union (Sh35 billion) the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The deputy premier laid the stone on Monday (July 29) to officiate the implementation of the project which involves the construction of a 400 KV line from Iringa-Mbeya-Songwe and Sumbawanga (Rukwa), covering a distance of 616 kilometers.
The power project paves a way for Tanzania to become an electricity hub for member countries of the SAPP via Zambia and the Eastern African Power Pool.
Hundreds of Rukwa Region citizens gathered to witness the colorful and historic event for their socio-economic transformation. TAZA project involves the construction of electricity infrastructure between Tanzania and Zambia.
The project, according to Dr. Dotto, will exchange and sell electricity to members where Tanzania can also benefit from selling power to South Africa.
“Tanzania will be able to sell or purchase electricity from members countries of SAPP and EAPP when there is a surplus or shortage of the power supply,” said Dr Biteko, adding “Tanzania is the link between SAPP and EAPP member countries via Zambia and Kenya respectively, which is why this project has unique importance as our country is at a great advantage to be a link for electricity trade in the East African region,”
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Tanzania is executing various power projects, including the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Plant (JNHPP), which has already contributed 705 megawatts to the national grid. The fourth turbine at JNHPP will be switched on next month, adding another 235 megawatts to the national grid.
Other projects are Kishapu Solar power project that will produce 150 megawatts, Malagarasi (49.5 MW), and further additions from natural gas.
Dr. Biteko said the TAZA project will not only ensure reliable power supply to Rukwa Region and national grid but gives the country the capacity to supply the surplus power to other 13 nations.
For decades, Rukwa Region has been receiving power from Lunzua Hydro Power Station in neighbouring Zambia. The power station is located in Mbala Township, 98 kilometres from Sumbawanga town, costing the government Sh15 billion annually.
The Coordinator for the Tanzania-Zambia project (TAZA), which involves the construction of electricity transmission infrastructures between the two countries, Engineer Elias Makunga, said the actual execution of the project started in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He mentioned that the construction of the project will also involve the construction of five cooling power stations in Tagamanda, Kisada, Igando, Nkangamo, and Malangali.
According to Engineer Makunga, TAZA will strengthen access to electricity in Iringa, Njombe and Mbeya, noting that it will also feed electricity into the power grid in Songwe and Rukwa.
“TAZA project will be the liberation of accessing reliable electricity in Rukwa and it will help the region to get electricity of high volumes that will help investors and industrialists to carry out their business effectively,” he added.
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