Tanesco urges public to embrace clean energy to cut costs, protect environment

Iringa. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has renewed its call for Tanzanians to adopt clean and modern energy solutions as a means to reduce household expenses, improve public health, and protect the environment from degradation.

Speaking at the opening of the ongoing Agriculture, Industry, and Trade Exhibition in Ilula, Kilolo District, Tanesco’s Kilolo District Manager, Elioza Kachira, urged citizens to overcome long-held misconceptions about clean energy and embrace its numerous benefits—particularly in rural communities where traditional biomass remains a primary energy source.

“We need to stop fearing clean energy and start seeing it as a solution to the challenges facing our communities,” Kachira said during her address at the Tanesco pavilion. “Electricity is not only safer for our health but also more affordable over time compared to charcoal or firewood.”

The five-day exhibition, which began on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, is being held at the Folk Development College (FDC) grounds in Ilula, and is expected to conclude on Sunday, May 25. Organised by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), Kilolo branch, the event brings together stakeholders from across agriculture, industry, trade, and vocational education sectors.

Clean energy as a path to health and economic relief

Kachira highlighted the adverse health impacts of using firewood and charcoal, particularly among women and children. She noted that respiratory and eye complications caused by smoke from traditional stoves continue to afflict many Tanzanian households—often misattributed to unrelated causes such as witchcraft.

“There are communities where people have suffered long-term health problems or even death due to indoor smoke, without understanding the real cause,” she said. “The shift to clean cooking energy, especially electric stoves, can save lives, improve well-being, and ease the burden on women who spend hours collecting firewood.”

She added that Tanesco is using the exhibition as a platform to educate the public on the use of energy-efficient electrical appliances, including modern low-consumption electric cookers that are both user-friendly and economical.

“A household can spend just Sh20,000 per month on electricity for cooking, compared to Sh70,000 or more for a single bag of charcoal that lasts only a few days,” she explained. “Beyond savings, electricity use also reduces pressure on forests, helping us combat deforestation.”

Also present at the event was Daudi Kingalata, Director of Turnbull Tech College based in Iringa town. He underscored the importance of such exhibitions in promoting vocational training and skills development for young people.

“This platform allows us to interact directly with youth and share the range of technical courses we offer—from electrical installation to ICT and carpentry,” he said. “It’s been a great opportunity for outreach and for encouraging young people to pursue skills for self-employment.”

Exhibition coordinator Painetho Madembwe, of TCCIA Kilolo, said the event is designed as a comprehensive marketplace where entrepreneurs, SMEs, farmers, and the general public can network, showcase products, seek new markets, and gain access to expert advice on production and services.

“We’re proud to offer this space for business, learning, and collaboration. It’s not just a showcase—it’s a springboard for economic empowerment,” he said.

The exhibition was officially opened by District Administrative Secretary (DAS) Estomin Kyando, representing Kilolo District Commissioner Rebecca Sanga Nsemwa. In his remarks, Kyando commended TCCIA for organising the event, describing it as a critical driver of local development and innovation.

“This exhibition shows how coordinated efforts between government, private institutions, and communities can create tangible opportunities for growth,” he said.

With clean energy advocacy taking centre stage and participation spanning multiple sectors, the Ilula exhibition has emerged as a microcosm of Tanzania’s broader drive for sustainable development, economic diversification, and environmental stewardship.