Tanesco adds 24 workers to the Julius Nyerere Power Project

Rufiji. Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) Managing Director Maharage Chande has announced that they have added 24 more employees to the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), bringing the total number of employees to operate the project to 92 when upon its completion in June 2024.

Mr Chande was speaking during his visit to the project accompanied by the Tanesco management team.

The purpose of his visit was to assess the progress of the project and evaluate the expected autumn rainfall from October to December.

He said for the project to commence its operations, a total of 221 employees would be needed to operate it upon its completion, explaining that currently they employ workers in phases based on the project's progress.

"You cannot bring 221 people all at once; rather, in groups that will come at the appropriate time. For example, the current group that has come is involved in electrical engineering because the plants are being installed. So, in the future, if there is a need for experts of this kind, they will be available," said Mr Chande.

"Since the project is located out of the town, there will be various workers like doctors, preschool teachers and accountants. We will continue to add employees in groups according to the project's construction stages," said Mr Chande.

"As we prepare to complete the remaining 10 percent for the construction of this project, we are now preparing our people for operation. All signs indicate that we will be able to generate electricity from June 2024; the major task left is the installation of the plants." Mr Chande added.

He explained that the progress was good and that they expect to reach 91 percent by the end of August.

He stated that they have already hired over 20 more employees to prepare for the operation the project upon completion.

Mr Chande noted that in 2022, the country's electricity demand was 1,354 megawatts, but by August 17, the demand had increased to 1,482.7 megawatts. He explained that there is stiff competition in using electricity due to the demands, prompting Tanesco to increase power generation to meet this new dynamic.

"The completion of this project will enable us to win this competition by having reliable electricity that meets the economic needs. We believe that the completion of JNHPP might end the electricity shortage between October and December.

"We are comforted that the project is progressing well... perhaps electricity shortage will become history in our trajectory. We continue to be keen on its implementation, although there are some challenges being handled by Tanesco’s team of experts," he said.

Besides that, Mr Chande said some equipment, including transformers, have arrived and been installed, alongside the cables to be used in the process. The installation of cables from the project site to Chalinze in Coast Region has reached 97 percent completion.

Further, Mr Chande said the Tanesco management team visited the project to assess the expected rainfall, expressing that if it rains as expected, the dam would fill up more rapidly.

Last Thursday, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) forecast that El Nino in the country would contribute to heavy seasonal rains from October to December, this year, due to the higher-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central tropical Pacific Ocean.

 "If the rains fall as expected, it will be beneficial, but if they increase, we are prepared by having plans to ensure that the project work continues without facing any challenges. The team is making an analysis to ensure every challenge is addressed," said Mr Chande.