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Zanzibar, energy company sign Sh800 billion pact on wind power
The principal secretary In Zanzibar’s Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals, Mr Joseph Kilangi (seated left), and Aseel Oilfield Services Limited managing director Saeed Al Jabry sign memorandums of understanding under which the firm will finance mineral exploration and generation of wind power on the isles. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT
What you need to know:
- The MoU will enable Zanzibar to implement a power project to generate between 20 megawatts and 200 megawatts of electricity.
Zanzibar. Zanzibar’s government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoUs) worth $340 million (about Sh800 billion) with Aseel Oilfield Services Limited for implementation of a wind power project in the Isles.
The MoU will enable Zanzibar to implement a power project to generate between 20 megawatts and 200 megawatts of electricity.
A second MOU involves modernising and enhancing Zanzibar’s mineral exploration capacity through state-of-the-art equipment and technologies.
The power generation will be done through development of a wind farm project therefore aligning Zanzibar with the commitment to transition the sector towards renewable energy sources in order to address the prevailing power shortages and impacts of climate change.
The MoUs were signed by the Principal Secretary of Zanzibar’s Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals, Mr Joseph Kilangi, and Aseel Oilfield Services managing director Saeed Al Jabry.
Witnessing the event were Zanzibar Water, Energy and Minerals minister Hassan Shaibu Kaduara, deputy minister Shaaban Ali Othman, senior government officials and stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Mr Kaduara said development of the wind farm project will harness the region’s abundant wind resources, reducing dependence to fossil fuels and promote greener and sustainable energy.
“President Mwinyi’s visionary approach and efforts to simplify processes have attracted investors in different sectors, therefore stimulating economic growth and development,” he said.
Furthermore, he said mineral exploration was among the ministry’s efforts to open up the Isles economy.
“Upon proving the existence of minerals in the Isles, the move will add an important sector to boost the Isles economy,” he said.
Aseel Oilfield Services Limited managing director, Mr Al Jabry, said the company will use advanced equipment and technologies during the implementation of the projects.
“These cutting-edge tools will significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of exploration processes, expediting the identification and extraction of valuable minerals, while paving the way for a sustainable energy future,” he said.
Mr Al Jabry added that the reaffirms Zanzibar’s dedication to harnessing its abundant natural resources and embracing renewable energy solutions.
“These initiatives are expected to have a positive and lasting impact on Zanzibar’s economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
