The Tanzanian government has invested massively in power generation over the past five years, increasing generation capacity from 1,601.84 MW in 2020 to 4,031.71 MW in 2025.
The government investment drive in energy was fuelled by rapid growth in industries and energy use.
Since assuming office in September 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, has spearheaded development in the energy sector to drive growth in all sectors of the Tanzanian economy.
Presenting the 2025/2026 Energy Budget in Parliament on Monday, April 28, 2025, Dr. Doto Biteko highlighted the major achievements of the ministry.
He mentioned the completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) with a generation capacity of 2,115 MW; the 400 kV power transmission line from Singida to Arusha and connecting Kenya through the East African power pool, the 400 kV, 160-kilometre transmission line from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower plant to Chalinze in the Coast Region, the Chalinze substation, and the successful integration of power generated from the JNHPP into the national grid.
Additionally, the Minister mentioned the completion of the 400 kV transmission line from Nyakanazi to Kigoma, connecting the Kigoma Region to the national grid, and the 132 kV, 115-kilometre transmission line from Tabora to Urambo, improving power supply in Urambo.
Touching on other steps the ministry has undertaken, he mentioned the decommissioning of oil-based power plants in Kigoma, which resulted in saving approximately TZS 58.4 billion annually that was previously spent on diesel fuel.
Electricity Access
According to Minister Biteko, electricity access in Lindi and Mtwara regions had also improved following the installation of a 20 MW natural gas-powered plant in Hiyari, Mtwara.
“There has been an increase in electricity customer connections from 2,766,745 in 2020/21 to 5,449,278 as of April 2025, representing a 97% increase,” he said.
He disclosed that 12,318 villages on the Tanzania mainland had been electrified, up from 506 villages in 2007, and that the Rural Energy Agency (REA) had been established.
“A total of 33,657 out of 64,359 hamlets (52%) across the country have been connected to electricity,” he added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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