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Mwananchi Thought Leadership Forum highlights Tanesco's drive to light up the nation
What you need to know:
- MTLF is the flagship project of Mwananchi Communications Limited and has this time been jointly organised with Tanzania Electric Supply Company
Dar es Salaam. Energy minister January Makamba is today expected to grace the Mwananchi Thought Leadership Forum (MTLF) in Dar esc Salaam.
MTLF is the flagship project of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) and has this time been jointly organised with Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco).
The event, whose focus is issues around electricity and energy transition, will take place at the Mlimani City Conference Hall from 9am to 1pm.
The forum’s purpose is to highlight opportunities in the energy sector vis-a-vis the transformation journey in lighting the nation.
While Mr Makamba will be the chief guest, Tanesco managing director Maharage Chande is expected to be principal speaker.
Other speakers are AngloGold Ashanti vice president Simon Shayo and Elsewedy managing director for East Africa Ibrahim Qamar.
Others are Lindam Group managing director Zuhura Muro and Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (Tarea) chairman Prosper Magali.
Currently, Tanzania produces 1,872.05 megawatts from various sources, namely 64.04 percent from natural gas; 30.69 percent from water; 4.71 percent from hydrocarbons and 0.56 percent from biogas.
However, despite the country’s production surpassing its demands, energy requirements have been increasing sharply annually.
The Energy ministry’s 2023/24 budget document shows, for instance, that power demand increased at an average of 1,363.94 megawatts in 2023 compared to 1,276.43 megawatts in 2022.
The highest power demand amounting to 1,431.59 megawatts was recorded at 8pm of May 15, 2023.
However, Tanesco is now givi9ng priority to production of electricity through environmentally friendly sources to ensure that every Tanzanian is connected for benefit of individual citizens and country in general.
“Increase in the country’s power demand is attributed to the upsurge of large-scale clients, especially factories and businesses by 5.6 percent. Social and economic activities have significantly grown in the country,” said Mr Makamba, who is also the Bumbuli MP.
In Tanesco’s long journey originating back from 1964, the national power utility has been embracing digital transformations in its daily activities.
During the journey, Tanesco has evolved from using post-paid meters to LUKU (Lipa Umeme Kadiri Utumiavyo) literally meaning “Pay for electricity as You Use”.
It includes the era that forced clients to spend many hours in queues in order to purchase power units to the current achievements where tokens could be bought using mobile phones.
Most services are now provided digitally, for instance there is no need for an individual to physically visit Tanesco’s offices to lodge complaints or submit power connection applications.
“In April, we launched an application dubbed NIKONEKT which enables clients to file power connection applications digitally. Through the application, clients meet experts preventing them from meeting unscrupulous agents popularly known in Kiswahili as vishoka,” said Mr Chande.
According to him, the new application has reduced power connectivity time for not more than four days.
MCL managing director Bakari Machumu said MTLF is a good opportunity for citizens to debate and deliberate on he shift to clean energy.
He added that discourse makes it possible for the nation to formulate strategies that would lead to the setting up of sustainable infrastructure and spur the economic growth of individuals and the country in general.
“I would like to commend Tanesco for its involvement in this event. Tanesco has been at the forefront of the energy sector’s development through efficient distribution of electricity since its establishment in 1964,” said Mr Machumu.
He added that Tanesco has of late been embracing innovation and taking notable measures in the shift to clean energy despite the existence of several challenges and therefore aligning with MCL’s mission.
“Today’s gathering aims at debating challenges facing the sector and propose solutions that will lay the ground for further positive change in the energy sector. As demand for power continues to increase, the need for clean and affordable energy also grows correspondingly,” he said.
Mr Machumu added that the forum is a discussion platform for experts, policymakers, community representatives and players from various sectors.
“Through the discussion, people will increase their understanding of the transformation journey, solutions and possible future challenges,” he said and invited members of the public to participate in the forum.
