Tanesco, neighbouring countries to connect national grids

Iringa/Songea. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) board of directors said it has connected the country in the northern and southern power networks.

This was revealed by the Tanesco board of directors chairman, Mr Alexander Kyaruzi, during his recent tour of Iringa and Ruvuma regions where he inspected power infrastructure projects.

Speaking to The Citizen, Mr Kyaruzi said Tanzania has embarked on connecting the national grid to power transmission networks of neighbouring countries following improved power generation in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia in the northern network and Zambia and Zimbabwe in the southern network.

“The decision aims at ensuring that the country has sufficient power even though we face mechanical challenges domestically,” he said.

He said the decision will enable the country to sell its excess power to neighboring countries and purchase from the networks when there is a deficit.

According to him, the country’s power production stands at 1600 megawatt while the demand is 1100 megawatt.

Mr Kyaruzi directed Tanesco headquarters to procure and install an equipment called reactor in order to reduce frequent power cut in the region.

The board also directed that fuel power generating machines to be shifted to other areas that have large power demands, noting that efforts in place to end frequent power cut.

Tanesco senior projects manager Emmanuel Manirabona said the project to connect the country’s national grid to the southern network cost $585 million.

“The country’s industrialisation drive has increased power demands, therefore we have decided to increase our capacity and look for other sources,” he said.

Ruvuma regional manager Florence Mwakasega said though power challenges were still prevailing and the region has suspended purchase of fuel for power generation.

“We are currently remained with 120,000 litres that will be used on emergency, especially when there are national grid’s mechanical problems,” he said.