Sam Nujoma CNG station in Dar es Salaam 67 percent complete, set to open January 2025
Technicians continue with the construction of TPDC'S CNG station at the University of Dar es Salaam along the Sam Nujoma Road. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The project, initially slated for completion by December this year, faced delays due to a shipment holdup of critical equipment at a Chinese port.
Dar es Salaam. Construction of the compressed natural gas (CNG) mother station along Sam Nujoma Road is now 67 percent complete and is expected to be operational by January next year, according to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).
The project, initially slated for completion by December this year, faced delays due to a shipment holdup of critical equipment at a Chinese port.
The equipment has now arrived at the Dar es Salaam port and installation is set to take another month and a half.
“We are working around the clock to complete the project by January,” said TPDC’s Director of Downstream Operations, Mr Emmanuel Gilbert.
Construction of the mother station began in August to expand the natural gas supply network.
Once complete, the Sam Nujoma station will have the capacity to serve 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles per day. The Sh14 billion project also includes smaller satellite stations at Muhimbili National Hospital and Kairuki Pharmaceuticals in Kibaha Zegereni, Coast Region.
Currently, there are only four operational CNG stations in Tanzania: Tazara (Nric Gas Technology), Airport (TAQA Delbit), Ubungo (Pan African Energy Tanzania), and Mandela Road (Tembo Energies). Over 4,500 vehicles in the country are already using CNG, with demand steadily increasing.
To meet rising demand, TPDC is set to issue licenses to private operators for the construction of gas facilities, including mobile filling stations. A total of 13 new CNG stations are expected to be operational by June next year, expanding access for consumers.
Additionally, TPDC plans to increase natural gas production by 80 million cubic feet (cf) next year. This includes 60 million cf from the Ntorya Ruvuma block and 20 million cf from the Mnazi Bay site.
“The aim is to build sufficient capacity to meet domestic needs and supply neighbouring East and Southern African countries,” said TPDC board chairman, Mr Ombeni Sefue, during a site visit in August.
The expanded infrastructure is part of a broader strategy to make Tanzania energy-independent.
With the new CNG mother station and increased production, the government aims to support growing industrial and consumer needs while strengthening regional energy partnerships.
