Tanzania government races to end power woes as JNHPP offers citizens relief
The Tanzania Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr Felchesmi Mramba, addresses media editors at State House in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, February 22, 2024. PHOTO | STATE HOUSE
What you need to know:
- The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy was also quoted assuring Tanzanians that the completion of JNHPP would see the power rationing trend end with the attainment of 470 megawatts.
Dar es Salaam. In the midst of persistent power rationing that has gripped the nation, the Tanzanian government has doubled down on its commitment to alleviate the crisis, assuring citizens that relief is on the horizon.
The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) stands as a beacon of hope, with government officials highlighting significant strides in its completion, aiming to usher in stability to the country’s electricity supply.
Addressing media editors on Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Tanzania Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr Felchesmi Mramba, stressed the urgency of addressing both production and distribution challenges to tackle the root causes of the power shortage.
“If you don’t meet the need, that’s why there is a shortage of electricity that leads to rationing to serve all people at different times,” he explained, emphasising the critical role of infrastructure in ensuring reliable distribution.
Mr Mramba detailed the progress made in the JNHPP, shedding light on the imminent resolution it promises. “Through the Mwalimu Nyerere dam, we hope to address the initial problem of electricity shortage, and we are in the final stages,” he affirmed.
With one plant already undergoing successful tests, he noted that efforts are now focused on connecting it to the national grid, promising to inject 235 megawatts into the system.
This substantial addition, he assured, was poised to alleviate over 80 percent of the existing shortage, offering much-needed respite to businesses and households alike.
The second plant, not far behind, has completed dry testing and is poised to commence wet testing, marking another crucial milestone in the project’s advancement, according to him.
Mr Mramba outlined the careful testing process, including electrical tests and load rejection tests, designed to ensure the plant’s reliability and resilience.
“These tests usually take two weeks, and we estimate that by mid-March, the second plant’s testing will be completed,” he projected, exuding confidence in the project’s trajectory.
Dispelling concerns over water availability, Mr Mramba highlighted the abundant water levels in the Mwalimu Nyerere dam, signalling a favourable outlook for power generation.
“The amount of water entering Mtera and Mwalimu Nyerere’s dam has surpassed expectations, with only a few metres left to reach maximum capacity,” he reassured, underscoring the project’s resilience amidst climatic variability.
In response to escalating anxieties among Tanzanians, Mr Mramba reiterated the government’s commitment to expediting the JNHPP’s completion.
“The two plants that will generate 470 megawatts are in the final stages of completion,” he affirmed.
As businesses grapple with the repercussions of power rationing and citizens endure disruptions to their daily lives, the government’s concerted efforts to expedite the JNHPP project stand as a beacon of hope.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy was also quoted assuring Tanzanians that the completion of JNHPP would see the power rationing trend end with the attainment of 470 megawatts.
