Deputy Minister for Energy, Mrs. Judidhi Kapinga has said that the investments made in the energy sector in Tanzania over the past three years will benefit the East African Community (EAPP) Member Countries in the electricity trading business.
Hon. Kapinga said this on December 09, 2024 in Mombasa, Kenya, at a meeting that brought together EAPP member countries and various stakeholders in the electricity sub-sector.
“Electricity production was previously largely dependent on gas but after the construction of the Julius Nyerere mega project which currently produces about 1,175 megawatts we have been using more hydropower to generate electricity.” She said, Mrs. Kapinga
She added that Tanzania is considering the issue of electricity production with a mixed energy mix and called on EAPP member countries to invest more in renewable energy which is clean energy.
Regarding rural electricity supply, Mrs. Kapinga said Tanzania has a strategy to ensure that all 12,318 villages are connected to electricity by 2025 and added that more than 99 percent of villages have already been connected to this energy.
Mrs. Kapinga said Tanzania hopes to join the Southern African Power Pool.
She said that for Tanzania to have electricity connections is important and that is why it is connecting with different countries in the electricity trade to make the grid system stable.
Kapinga stressed that other African countries will benefit from the energy sector due to the ongoing investment in the country with the availability of reliable electricity.
On the side of Development Partners, Ms. Kapinga said that Tanzania appreciates their contribution to the energy sector and added that to a large extent, projects are being implemented in collaboration with development partners.
