Zanzibar residents complain about frequent power cuts

Unguja. Residents and small-scale business owners in Zanzibar have expressed their frustration over frequent and unannounced power outages, which they say are causing significant losses, particularly for those dealing with perishable goods such as fish, juices, and fruits.

But responding to the complaints, Zanzibar’s Minister for Water, Energy, and Minerals, Shaib Hassan Kaduara, acknowledged the power supply challenges, attributing them to the increasing number of electricity consumers and investors in the country.

“The government is working to introduce a new 220-megawatt power line from Tanzania Mainland to address the demand. The current transmission line supplies only 132 megawatts, which is insufficient due to the growing number of electricity users,” he explained.

Speaking to The Citizen on different occasions, affected individuals emphasised the need for prior notification whenever power interruptions are necessary so they can prepare accordingly.

Habiba Salum, a resident of Mahonda, lamented that while the power utility company used to provide prior notice before scheduled outages in the past, this is no longer the case. She said power cuts now occur randomly and without warning.

“We don’t have specific days for power cuts; it happens almost every day, especially at night. This is very frustrating, particularly because of the heat. The authorities should notify us in advance,” she said.

She further warned that the frequent power cuts could lead to increased criminal activities, including theft, as criminals take advantage of the darkness.

“Criminals use darkness as a cover to commit crimes and harm others. If this continues, we will live in constant fear,” she added.

Another resident, Khatabi Khamis from Mangapwani, said the situation is causing severe losses for business owners who rely on electricity.

“I run a fish business, and I have to refrigerate unsold stock. With these frequent power cuts, my fish often go bad, resulting in huge losses,” he said. Similarly, Abdallah Rajabu, a small-scale trader from Mfenesini, stated that the power interruptions are especially detrimental to small businesses that rely on refrigeration to preserve goods.

He urged the power company to reinstate the practice of issuing prior notices before outages, allowing business owners to make necessary arrangements and avoid losses. According to Mr Shaib Kaduara, the government is investing in the power utility company to improve infrastructure.

“The system we have now was initially sufficient for a smaller population, but with the increasing number of residents, it is no longer adequate. That is why the government is prioritising infrastructure improvements,” said Kaduara.

The minister also noted that while past power outages used to last for long hours, recent interruptions are shorter, lasting only a few minutes, as efforts continue to stabilise the power supply.

He assured Zanzibar residents, particularly those in the northern region, that the government is actively addressing the problem, including installing additional power-boosting machines.

Meanwhile, as the demand for electricity continues to rise, the power supply network is being expanded. Additionally, the cost of electricity connection in the islands has been reduced, with the connection fee for customers within a 30-metre range dropping from Sh464,000 to Sh200,000. For those requiring a single pole, the fee has been lowered from Sh1.7 million to Sh600,000.

Recently, the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (Zura) announced adjustments in electricity tariffs, citing an increase in demand as the main reason.

The changes were made following a request by the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO) to accommodate the growing electricity needs.