Powering Tanzania’s islands: The case of floating power units

Pemba. Tanzania’s vast coastline and major islands, continue to face persistent challenges in securing stable and affordable electricity.

Much of the power supply to these regions depends on underwater transmission cables from the mainland or oil-fuelled generators, making them vulnerable to technical faults, supply disruptions, and energy shortages.

As Tanzania expands its energy infrastructure, floating power units (FPUs) could offer a reliable, clean, and cost-effective solution to ensure stable power for the country’s island regions.

Tanzania has made significant progress in electrification, yet only 40 percent of the population currently has access to electricity. More than half of the country’s power comes from thermal plants, primarily fuelled by natural gas, coal, and oil, while hydropower accounts for 40 percent of the mix. Despite domestic energy resources, Tanzania still relies on costly fuel imports which increase electricity prices and expose the economy to global energy market fluctuations.

For island regions like Zanzibar the challenge is even more severe as they lack large-scale power generation infrastructure and rely on underwater power cables from the mainland making them highly vulnerable to technical failures and power outages.

Efforts are being made to address these challenges. Tanzania is currently negotiating a $42 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, with discussions expected to be concluded by June 2025. The country is also participating in Mission 300, a pan-African initiative aimed at connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030 through investment in renewables.

Additionally, the government is on final stage of constructing the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant (JNHPP), a 2.1 GW facility expected to be completed in 2025. However, while these projects will improve energy security, they do not fully address the need for stable, climate-resilient energy solutions – especially for Tanzania’s island regions.

Floating power units provide an alternative pathway for Tanzania to strengthen its energy independence. Nuclear power offers stable, low-cost electricity, unaffected by fluctuations in fossil fuel prices. It has minimal carbon emissions supporting Tanzania’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30-35 percent by 2030.

 FPUs, in particular, present an ideal solution for island regions like Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. These self-contained nuclear power stations on floating platforms provide reliable energy without requiring large-scale land-based infrastructure.

Their mobility and scalability allow them to be deployed and relocated as needed while their lower operational costs make them an economically viable solution. FPUs can also generate desalinated water offering additional benefits to communities facing water shortages.

Russia’s Rosatom was the first company to commercialise floating nuclear technology, launching the Akademik Lomonosov, a 77 MW floating nuclear power plant supplying electricity to remote Arctic regions. Since its commissioning in 2019, the Akademik Lomonosov has generated over one billion kWh of electricity, demonstrating reliable and safe operation, and providing heat and power to the port city of Pevek.

 In 2024, the company announced the development of FPUs specifically designed for tropical climates, making them suitable for deployment in countries like Tanzania. Furthermore, it has entered discussions with several African nations on deploying FPUs as part of the continent’s clean energy transition.

The development of Tanzania’s nuclear sector is supported not only by the government but also by key international players. Rosatom’s subsidiary Mantra Tanzania is investing in nuclear energy training and preparing for commercial uranium mining by 2029.

The company expects to create 1,000 high-tech jobs and is funding education and training initiatives to develop a skilled workforce. Other international companies – Gladiator Resources, AuKing Mining – are exploring opportunities within Tanzania’s nuclear energy sector by assessing joint collaborations to develop uranium projects in Tanzania as well.

These developments indicate a growing interest from various international stakeholders in Tanzania’s potential as a significant player in the global nuclear energy landscape.

Haji Haji is the General Manager of Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO). He believes that investing in floating nuclear power could significantly enhance Tanzania’s energy security and economic stability. “Tanzania’s energy demand is growing rapidly, and we need solutions that are not only reliable but also cost-effective and climate-friendly.

Floating power units present a game-changing opportunity, particularly for our island regions, which continue to face energy supply challenges. By exploring nuclear energy, Tanzania can position itself as a leader in Africa’s clean energy transition.”

As Tanzania continues to expand its energy infrastructure, nuclear power – and specifically floating power units – could play a crucial role in securing stable electricity for the country’s island regions. Investing in FPUs would strengthen Tanzania’s energy independence, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and accelerate economic development, ensuring a stable and sustainable future for millions of Tanzanians.