In the wake of meeting the rising demand of electricity in the country, the Tanzanian government with the help of Jumeme Rural Power Supply Ltd has begun the construction of solar-hybrid mini grids to boost electricity power output.
RP Global, JUMEME’s independent renewable energy developer and majority shareholder, has announced that they are already on the ground and the construction of the project’s first phase, located on an island cluster in Lake Victoria, is moving on quickly.
The initial phase of the project involves the construction of 11 new independent mini – grids equipped with battery storage technology and are being built to supply 24/7 electricity in 20 villages to a population of over 80,000.
The first phase, financed through the ACP – EU Energy Facility by the European Union (EU), is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2019.
In the upcoming second scaling phase of the project, 11 more mini – grids will be built. Additional 23 villages with a combined population of more than 160,000 people are expected to be electrified, bringing energy services to each and every one.
According to RP Global Africa Director Leo Schiefermüller, solar hybrid mini – grids are the least – cost electrification option, particularly in rural areas, and Jumeme’s pay – as – you – go business model makes electricity consumption more affordable for the customer.
The JUMEME venture was realized under the ACP – EU Energy Facility and the Rural Energy Agency (REA) of Tanzania through financial support from the European Union. They aim to supply a million Tanzanians with high quality and reliable electricity by 2023.
