Power Grid

On September 19, 2024, Tanzanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, directed the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to expedite electricity projects connecting Kigoma to the national grid by the end of the year. This initiative aims to eliminate the reliance on heavy fuel oil(HFO) for electricity generation in the region. The announcement was made during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Malagarasi hydropower project (49.5 MW), as well as the establishment of a 132 kV transmission line from Igamba to Kidahwe and a 400/220/132/33 kV distribution station in Kidahwe.

Dr. Biteko noted that the government spends approximately 35 billion Tanzanian shillings annually on fuel for generators, while collections amount to only 16 billion shillings, resulting in significant losses for TANESCO. He emphasized that the transition away from generator-based electricity would extend to regions currently lacking access to the national grid. With the completion of various projects, Kigoma is set to become a key player in the national electricity landscape, drawing power from multiple sources, including Nyakanazi and Katavi.

The Minister expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her commitment to development in Kigoma, highlighting an investment of over 1.2 trillion shillings in energy projects for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. He pointed out that with reliable grid electricity, Kigoma would shed its status as a remote region and emerge as a development hub. Additionally, he assured that all villages in the area would receive electricity by the end of the year.

In further support of local development, Dr. Biteko donated 500 bags of cement to assist residents in constructing a health center in Kidahwe. He also promised that the government would build an additional health facility. Meanwhile, investments in infrastructure, such as a 20-kilometer tarmacked road in the Igamba area, are planned as part of the broader development agenda for Kigoma, reinforcing the government's commitment to improving living standards and economic growth in the region.