Produce more power from gas, say experts

Dar es Salaam. Out of 1,458MW generated in Tanzania, 735MW are from natural gas, 13 years since the resource discovery.

The country has a gas reserve of 57.54 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

But experts caution that unless gas is harnessed to generate power, its positive impact on the economy will not be felt.

Thirteen years since gas was discovered in Tanzania, the country is still a lightweight in East Africa in the use of natural gas to generate electricity.

That is the case despite the fact that between 2004 and 2017 the country saved $9.7 billion that was to be used to import fuel, according to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).

The industrial sector saved $0.913 billion by using natural gas for heating instead of heavy fuel oil and diesel. Institutions, households and vehicles saved $401,176 by using natural gas instead of liquefied petroleum gas.

President John Magufuli recently launched the Kinyerezi II power generation plant to produce 240MW from natural gas.

He advised the Tanzania Electric Supply Company to lower power tariffs.

Fifteen per cent of the cost of undertaking the Sh798 billion projects came from the government and the rest was borrowed from Japan.

“Electricity is important for economic growth. It stimulates production, creates jobs and improves living standards,” said President Magufuli. “Our industrialisation plan cannot be realised without having adequate and reliable power.” Repoa strategic research director Abel Kinyondo said: “At present there is no impact since electricity costs are still high. During the opening of Kinyerezi II, President Magufuli spoke well and wants Tanesco to look into possibility of lowering the prices.”

According to Dr Kinyondo, the full use of natural gas to generate power can lower production costs, catalysing the economic growth, industrialisation and environmental conservation.

The College of Engineering and Technology’s Richard Kimwaga, said for number of years the country had been depending on hydropower.

Dr Kimwaga, who is a water engineer, said due to climate change, population increases and drought in those sources were under pressure. He believes the exploitation of natural gas is apt in industrialisation. “What is important is for TPDC to continue attracting more investors.”

Energy minister Medard Kalemani said two other projects would be undertaken at Kinyerezi to produce 600MW from natural gas.

Similar projects with their megawatts in brackets will be carried out at Somangafungu (320) and Mtwara (300MW).

TPDC acting CEO Kapuulya Musomba said: “Natural gas will continue to be exploited to generate power for use in many sectors.”