Power Grid

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, today clarified the government’s decision to purchase electricity from Ethiopia via the Namanga border in Kenya. Mramba emphasized that purchasing electricity from neighboring countries does not indicate that Tanzania is facing an electricity shortage, as the country currently generates sufficient power, with a total capacity of about 3796 Megawatts. This move is part of Tanzania's broader strategy to enhance energy security and meet fluctuating electricity demand across the region.

Mramba further explained that the arrangement benefits both countries, as the same route used to purchase electricity from Ethiopia will also be used to sell power to other countries in need. The purchased electricity from Ethiopia will enter Kenya’s grid, and Kenya will then supply power to Tanzania to compensate for the electricity imported from Ethiopia. This approach is structured as a bilateral agreement, where sometimes Tanzania will buy electricity, and at other times, it will sell power to neighboring countries depending on the demand and supply conditions.

The practice of purchasing and selling electricity between countries is not new, and Tanzania has been doing so for years. Tanzania has been importing electricity from Uganda for the Kagera region, from Zambia for the Rukwa region, and from Kenya for areas near the Tanga border. This regional collaboration ensures that Tanzania has a steady and reliable electricity supply, while also supporting neighboring countries in times of need, creating a mutually beneficial energy network in the region.

Regarding the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Dam project, which is 99.8% complete, Mramba highlighted its significant contribution to the country’s energy generation. He pointed out that the electricity from the Julius Nyerere project is already meeting the country's needs, and the national grid currently requires about 1908 Megawatts, which is being fully utilized. The project has played a major role in ensuring the availability of sufficient power in Tanzania and will continue to be a key component of the nation’s energy infrastructure.