TPDC plans to connect 42 companies to gas system

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is planning to connect 42 companies to gas infrastructure.

So far, 37 factories have been connected. “We have enough gas to connect as many industries, but we currently target 42 of them due to capital woes and poor infrastructure,” according to TPDC acting managing director Kapuulya Musomba.

He spoke of a rapid increase in medium and small-scale factories. Since 2015, 81 new ones have been built in Coast Region. “We use only 10 per cent of gas produced.”

He also said the city planning posed a challenge to connect potential customers to gas systems.

Energy and Minerals deputy minister Medard Kalemani said a plan was being prepared to enable some gas filling stations countrywide to sell gas.

He said Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) was the major gas consumer as the source of energy accounts for 65 per cent of electricity in the national grid. Moreover, by the end of the year, the Kinyerezi project will start using gas to generate power.

The chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, Ms Hawa Ghasia, said the team would push for the improvement of gas infrastructure to connect more plants.

“We are talking about industrialization and end the use of fuelwood. What is needed is to ensure industries and homes can get gas easily,” she said.

She also suggested that TPDC be involved in city planning to create infrastructure for gas supplies.