By Charles Mkoka
Deputy Minister of Energy, Ms. Judith Kapinga (pictured), attributed Tanzania's visible advancements in the energy sector to the leadership and resource mobilization efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whom she credited for securing vital funding for national energy projects.
Ms. Kapinga made these remarks in Parliament on November 7, 2024, in Dodoma while responding to Members of Parliament during debates on the proposed National Development Plan for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
"These projects are progressing because of the President’s dedication, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, ensure their effective and professional execution," Ms. Kapinga remarked.
She emphasized the sector's foundational role in spurring economic growth across various industries, including business, agriculture, and social activities.
Under the current National Development Plan, Tanzania's energy sector has focused on expanding infrastructure for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, alongside bolstering its oil and gas industry with enhanced private sector involvement. When the plan commenced in 2021, Tanzania’s national grid supplied 1,571 megawatts. Upon completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, national capacity will rise to 3,914 megawatts.
This hydropower project alone has added 940 megawatts through four active turbines, with the government exploring other potential energy sources to meet growing demand.
Ms. Kapinga outlined additional projects underway, such as the 49.5 MW Malagarasi project, the 87.8 MW Kakono project, and a 150 MW solar project in Kishapu, Shinyanga. The government, she said, remains committed to expanding Tanzania’s energy capacity through the ongoing execution of electricity generation projects.
Ms. Kapinga highlighted geothermal energy as an emerging priority, with five potential sites—Ruhoi, Natron, Mbozi, Songwe, and Kiejo-Mbaka—identified for development. President Samia has allocated TSh 15.7 billion for drilling equipment to harness these resources, which could potentially generate up to 5,000 megawatts.
As Tanzania seeks to diversify its energy mix, the government has prioritized renewable sources, reducing dependency on non-renewable resources and enhancing energy security. The shift toward renewables, Ms. Kapinga noted, is critical for environmental sustainability and economic independence.
Beyond generation, significant investments are being channeled into expanding electricity transmission, with projects designed to connect Tanzania with neighboring countries. These include regional initiatives that will link Tanzania to eight countries in the Sahara region and 14 nations across East Africa.
In a major push for rural electrification, the government has committed approximately TSh 1.753 trillion since 2021, with plans to electrify the remaining 78 villages nationwide. Additional projects are targeting thousands of hamlets, aiming to electrify 3,070 hamlets currently and another 4,000 soon, with a vision to reach all of Tanzania’s 32,000 remaining hamlets within the next seven years.
Turning to the gas sector, Ms. Kapinga detailed progress on Tanzania’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which, once completed, is expected to yield approximately 45 trillion cubic feet of gas. She also noted the government’s issuance of a long-awaited license to develop the Ruvuma Ntorya block, which contains an estimated 1.4 trillion cubic feet of gas. Furthermore, for the first time in nearly 12 years, Tanzania is moving into its fifth round of oil and gas block bidding, scheduled for March 2025. Twenty-four blocks will be available, including 21 in deep-sea waters and three in Lake Tanganyika.
In a strategic approach to natural gas utilization, the government has outlined a comprehensive plan stretching from 2017 to 2046. This framework prioritizes the use of natural gas for industrial applications, particularly fertilizer production, to strengthen Tanzania’s manufacturing base and maximize its energy assets for national benefit.