East Africa: Gas for Electricity

Posted on : Tuesday, 29th September 2015

In a move to end power outages, Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) is switching from hydroelectric power and diesel to gas for electricity generation for power generation.

This is being achieved through a government investment of Tsh2.5 trillion ($1.25 billion). The funding is part of Tsh8 trillion ($4 billion) to be spent on power generation projects.

Key targets are big investment ventures including industries, tourist hotels and homes.

According to Tanesco managing director Felichesmi Mramba, the company is looking to produce 335 Megawatts from natural gas.

Two new plants were switched on late September to generate power from natural gas pumped from Mnazi Bay in Mtwara region on the Southern coast of Tanzania. The new plants are the Symbion and Kinyerezi 1, both installed in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzanian Minister for Energy and Minerals George Simbachawene said natural gas guarantees supply of electricity throughout the year.