Reliable power supply set to reach Mtwara, Lindi regions

Dodoma. A project to connect Mtwara and Lindi to the national power grid is being implemented by Tanesco.

The aim is to end power challenges in the gas-rich regions, Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhongo told Parliament here yesterday.

Currently, the two regions get electricity from an 18MW system built by Artumas Power a few years ago in Mtwara town. But Prof Muhongo said the mistake during that time was that generation and transmission facilities planned were of inferior capacity such that increased demands have overwhelmed them. He was answering a question.

He said power was transmitted via a 33KV transmission line, making it difficult for electricity to reach all districts in the two regions.

“This is why we are currently working on these challenges and Tanesco (Tanzania Electric Supply Company) is building a 132KV transmission line complete with two substations that for power to easily reach as far as Masasi in Mtwara and Liwale in Lindi as well as in all the other districts within the two regions.”

He told the House that power challenges in the Mtwara and Lindi will end when the two regions get connected to the national power grid, noting that Tanesco has already started working towards that goal.

“Tanesco is also constructing a 400KV line that will connect Somanga Fungu in Lindi to Kinyerezi gas-to-power production plants in Dar es Salaam. The completion of the project in the two regions will have options of either using the current power or using it from the national electricity grid and use it whenever necessary.”

He did not disclose the actual amount to be spent on the project that will see Mtwara residents benefitting from the power, produced by natural gas which is being transported from their area to Dar es Salaam via a 532-km pipeline.

According to Prof Muhongo, the government is also overhauling power production plants at Nyakato to ensure that residents of Mwanza and neighbouring regions in the Lake Zone get reliable electricity.

He was answering the question from Mr Vedasto Ngombale (CUF – Kilwa North) in Lindi who wanted the government to explain why it is promoting the idea of industarialising Tanzania while power produced from natural gas at Somanga Fungu within the same region is still unreliable.

Energy and Minerals deputy minister Medard Kalemani said the current intermittent power cuts in areas fed by the Somanga Fungu Plant were occasioned by a breakdown.

“The Somanga Fungu Plant, which started producing electricity in 2010, produces a total of 7.5MW which is then transmitted throughout Kibiti in Kilwa and Rufiji districts. The power outages are a result of the breakdown of a 2.5MW plant and some maintenance activities on the transmission line,” he said.

He said Tanesco was also overhauling the remaining two plants – each with a capacity of producing 2.5MW – so that customers get reliable power.

The task is scheduled to be completed in November this year and will cost Sh3 billion. “After completing the work, Tanesco will revive the other 2.5MW plant which has broken down, the task that is scheduled to start in October this year.

“The job will be completed in November and will cost Sh2 billion. Tanesco is also conducting an audit of the transmission lines with a goal of turning the power cuts into a thing of the past,” said Dr Kalemani.