Tanzania will be able to connect to 13 members of the Southern Power Pool (SAPP) through Zambia and the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) through Kenya once the TANZANIA-Zambia (TAZA) power project is completed, according to the government.
This was announced by Dr. Doto Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, shortly after the TAZA project’s foundation stone was set. The project involves constructing a 400 KV line that will span 616 kilometers, from Iringa-Mbeya-Songwe to Sumbawanga (Rukwa).
In addition, Dr. Biteko said that Tanzania will serve as an electricity hub for SAPP member nations via Zambia and the Eastern African Power Pool as a result of the TAZA power project. The vibrant occasion took place in the Makazi Mapya neighborhood of Malangali Ward in Sumbawanga Municipality, Rukwa Region, and was observed by numerous locals.
Tanzania may profit from exporting power to South Africa, says Dr. Biteko, who says the project’s goal is to trade and interchange electricity. “Tanzania should purchase electricity if the demand exceeds what is produced domestically or sell electricity to SAPP and EAPP member countries when there is a surplus in power supply,” Dr. Biteko continued.
“This project has unique importance because Tanzania is a link for electricity trade in the East African region, via Zambia and Kenya, respectively, and is the link between SAPP and EAPP member countries.”
“Because there is a steady market for this energy, “this move will give us the opportunity to generate more electricity than our actual demand,” Dr. Biteko Stated.
The Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Plant (JNHPP), which has begun producing power and is contributing 705 megawatts to the national grid, is one of the many projects that the government is still working on, according to the Deputy Premier.
Dr. Biteko stated that the nation currently has excess electricity as a result of the big expansion, adding that the fourth turbine at JNHPP will be turned on next month, bringing a further 235 megawatts to the national grid.
Dr. Biteko also mentioned other projects, including Malagarasi (49.5 MW) and more natural gas additions, as well as the 150 MW Kishapu Solar Power Project. Dr. Biteko claimed Rukwa Region would receive a sufficient and consistent supply of national grid power thanks to the TAZA project.
Rukwa Region has been receiving electricity from Zambia’s neighboring Lunzua Hydro Power Station for many years. The power plant is situated 98 kilometers from Sumbawanga town in Mbala Township. Dr. Biteko claims that the government has been paying the bill for this at a cost of fifteen billion dollars a year. “This project’s implementation will allow the region to be self-sufficient, with the exception of emergencies,” Dr. Biteko stated.
Engineer Elias Makunga, the coordinator for the Tanzania-Zambia project (TAZA), which entails building infrastructure for the transmission of power between the two nations, stated that the project’s actual execution began in 2023 and is expected to be finished in May 2026.
Elias Makunga, stated that five cooling power plants will also need to be built as part of the project in Tagamanda, Kisada, Igando, Nkangamo, and Malangali. Engineer Makunga mentions that TAZA will improve Iringa, Njombe, and Mbeya residents’ access to electricity and that it would also supply Songwe and Rukwa’s power system with electricity.
According to World Bank Tanzania Resident Director Mr. Nathan Belete, development partners provided the money, which totals over 1.4 trillion/-. Additional funding came from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The European Union gave 35 billion, the WB provided 1 trillion, and the France Development Agency contributed 3.2 billion.
