Frequent power cuts shake Tanzania’s progress towards energy self-sufficiency

Dar es Salaam. While Tanzania is making progress towards self-sufficiency in electricity generation, ongoing power outages remain a concern for citizens, many of whom claim they are not benefiting from the supply and are suffering losses due to damaged equipment.

Frustrations have been voiced in various WhatsApp groups and on social media, including platforms linked to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco).

Tanesco has repeatedly attributed the outages to the aging electricity distribution infrastructure.

In addition, Tanesco recently highlighted that Cyclone Dikeledi has affected the regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, Lindi, and Mtwara, exacerbating the power supply issues.

During the launch of the 400-kilovolt Chalinze-Dodoma power transmission line project in December 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, stated that the government’s efforts to enhance electricity supply had increased the country’s power generation capacity to 3,169.26 megawatts.

He noted that peak electricity demand currently stands at 1,888.72 megawatts, a record high, with the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP) contributing 1,175 megawatts to the National Grid out of its 2,115-megawatt capacity.

Citizens’ concerns

A food vendor in Dar es Salaam, Mr Mohammed Issa, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi that frequent power cuts have disrupted his ability to serve customers promptly.

"In the evening, it's not as bad, but during the day, power cuts can occur up to three times, forcing us to use gas to prevent losses," said Mr Issa, who operates his business in Tabata.

On Tanesco’s Instagram page, @officialrobby_255 expressed concern about the unreliable power supply and suggested the utility company should cut power completely for repairs before restoring service.

"Leaders, if you know your electricity is unreliable, please cut it off completely, make repairs, and then give us reliable power," the user said, adding that his television and air conditioner had been damaged due to the frequent power cuts.

Another resident from Kimara Suka complained about persistent outages in the area, "For the second week in a row, the power cuts occur in the morning and return around 4 or 5 pm. We need explanations.”

Tanesco spokesperson Kenneth Boymanda said on January 16, 2025, that power outages in several areas since January 13 had been caused by Cyclone Dikeledi.

"The cyclone has affected the regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, and the southern areas, including Lindi and Mtwara. While there has been no significant damage in residential areas, strong winds have impacted Tanesco’s elevated infrastructure," said Mr Boymanda.

On January 14, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) reported that Cyclone Dikeledi was located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique.

TMA had issued a warning about strong winds and large ocean waves along the Indian Ocean coastline and surrounding areas, particularly between January 14 and 15, with conditions expected to improve from January 16.

Mr Boymanda confirmed that fallen tree branches had caused power lines to touch, affecting the electricity supply.

"The strong winds are now subsiding, and the situation is returning to normal. There has been no major damage except for trees falling on power lines," he added.

Ongoing issues

The issue of power cuts in Dar es Salaam persists. In November 2024, The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi reported similar complaints from residents in areas like Kimara, Goba, Mbezi, Mbagala, and Majohe.

A resident of Kimara Saranga, Ms Ashura Abdallah, explained that her neighbourhood had experienced frequent outages, particularly at night.

"When the power goes out, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to return, and sometimes it cuts off multiple times a day," she said.

In response, Mr Boymanda attributed the problem to faults in the electricity distribution infrastructure in parts of Dar es Salaam.

"Faults in specific areas can affect others, so fixing one problem may result in a new issue elsewhere. Our teams are working tirelessly to resolve them," he said.

Economic impact

Economist, Dr Balozi Morwa noted that unreliable electricity impacts businesses, especially producers and manufacturers who depend on a constant power supply to meet production schedules.

"Power cuts disrupt production, leading to a loss of income and reduced tax revenue for the government," Mr Morwa said.

He highlighted that small businesses, such as fish vendors and salon owners, are particularly affected, while the increased use of generators contributes to environmental pollution and noise.

"This also discourages investors who cannot operate in an environment with an unreliable energy supply," he added.