Kikuletwa power station to boost Northern Zone’s energy supply

Hai. The Kikuletwa Power Station, a significant addition to Tanzania’s energy infrastructure, is set to start producing electricity by October 2025, contributing 1.7 megawatts to the national grid.

The new station, located in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, is a key part of efforts to improve power stability in the Northern Zone, which has been grappling with power supply fluctuations in recent years.

Engineer Robert Kabudi, the project consultant, informed Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during their visit to the station that the installation of machinery was imminent. The equipment, which is nearly 95 percent complete, is currently being shipped from China to the station.

“We are expecting the machinery to arrive soon and will begin installation at the completed reservoir,” Kabudi said.

The hydroelectric plant, built for $4.63 million (approximately Sh10 billion), will initially generate 1.7 megawatts in its first phase, starting in October. When the remaining two phases are completed, the plant will produce a total of 17 megawatts, enough to supply both Arusha and Moshi cities with surplus power.

During a recent visit to the regions of Arusha and Kilimanjaro, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed concerns about the persistent power interruptions in the Northern Zone and assured that the government was taking steps to resolve the issue. 

The new Kikuletwa Power Station is expected to play a key role in stabilizing the energy supply in the region.

The hydroelectric station is also part of the Kikuletwa Renewable Energy Training and Research Center, a facility operated by Arusha Technical College (ATC), which serves as a sub-regional center for renewable energy training in Africa.

The project is being constructed by HNAC Technology Company, a Chinese firm, in collaboration with Tanzania’s White City International. 

PAC members were impressed that the plant will include an on-site transformer to supply power to the adjacent training center, further supporting the government’s clean energy initiatives.

Acting PAC Chairperson Japhet Assunga commended the swift execution of the project, highlighting its significance as the country works towards achieving reliable power supply across the nation.

“The Hai District Council needs to address the condition of the 15-kilometer road connecting the Kikuletwa station to the main Arusha-Moshi highway,” said PAC member Issa Mtemvu, the Member of Parliament for Kibamba.

He noted that the road was in poor condition and required urgent maintenance and possible upgrading to bitumen.

PAC Member Esther Matiko expressed confidence that the Kikuletwa Power Station would not only enhance the energy supply in the region but also deliver value for money when it begins production in October.