Tanzania: In 2023 is outlined to Navigate the East African Bloc in Power Production in a way to Execute the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project along Rufiji River in the Coast Region

By Abdul Rahman Bangura–

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- Tanzania in the subsequent three years will evolve the outstanding power producer and supplier in the East African region following the fifth phase government spirited motion to execute the Julius Nyerere Hydropower project along Rufiji River in the Coast Region. The mega flagship advancement power project which is funded 100% by the administration of Tanzania at a huge amount of money, begun in June 2019 and is set for actualization in the second two years.

The 2,115 megawatts power project will be the fourth grandest dam in Africa and ninth in the world. Africa’s largest dam is Ethiopia’s Renaissance, which is under construction, with 6,450 megawatts predicted upon culmination in 2022. The Mambira Dam in Nigeria emerges second with 3,050 megawatts along of Ethiopian Shaika Dam that generates 2,160MW. The Aswan Dam in Egypt, with 2,100 megawatts arrives fifth in the ranking winning against Raula Dam in Angola, which develops 2,066 megawatts.

Dr. Medard Kalemani – The Energy Minister asserted previously that, the administration has already paid $1.19 trillion out of the total cost, which is 100% of the proportion noted in the contract for the preliminary period. The Julius Nyerere Hydropower project is foreseen to renovate the energy sector and assure the nation with adequate energy essential for speeding up growth of other economic sectors extremely, the mechanization drive. Apparently, the power project which is built by a collaborative investment of Egyptian companies, Arab Contractors and El Sewedy Electric Co is anticipated to twofold electricity era.

Dr. Kalemani told the parliament while tabling the 2020/2021 budget estimates let out, the electricity generation rose to 1,601.84 megawatts as of April 2020 in comparison to 1,308 megawatts in 2015. Works carried out during the 2019/2020 since when it initiated in June in 2019 are scilicet construction of the main dam, and the recreation tunnel with the projection of being completed in June 2022. The Energy Minister noted a total of $1.44 trillion has been set aside during 2020/2021 fiscal year and works to be implemented comprise the main dam and spillways), tunnels and power house as well switch yard.

A total of 3,897 people have been hired out of whom 3,422 are Tanzania, which is 87.81% and 475 employees are foreigners equivalent to 12.19% of all employees. Approximately 6,000 Tanzanians will be employed during the project implementation. The project that is designed along the Rufiji River, Coast Region by a mutual investment of Egyptian companies, Arab Contractors and El Sewedy Electric Co.

Nonetheless, Electricity supply in Tanzania pushes beyond home use for lighting homes, charging phones or powering household appliances such as radios and Televisions but is aimed at to spark economic growth. To expand Tanzania’s economy, it proposes efficient usage of energy to power local businesses, provide better health and education services and drive agriculture production.

Throughout the years, the power sector of Tanzania has been overseen by hydropower and at the moment about 45% of power produced comes from hydropower dam. The adequate electricity to be produced from the Julius Nyerere Dam is anticipated to recoup almost 400 hectares of trees hew yearly for charcoal and firewood as well as unsustainable agricultural practices. Yet, chopping down trees implies that, rain water cannot sink into the ground hence, when it rains, water goes straight to the rivers then into the ocean.

Tabling the budget speech for the 2020/2021 fiscal year, the Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Philip Mpango explained, the opening of construction of an historic project of Julius Nyerere Hydropower (2,115 MW) at Rufiji River is one of the significant accomplishments in the commission of energy infrastructure projects. Enactment of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower project rain waterrioritized by the fifth phase administration as a way of the Founding Father of the nation Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s notion to generate power from Stigler Gorge.

The Founding father of the nation’s quest to build a major hydropower plant in the area got new catalyst in 1976 when Tanzania in collaboration with Norway leased Norplan& Hafslundof Norway administered a feasibility study on the project, which was obtained in 1980. Rufiji valley is the hugest ravine in the nation that encloses 177,000 square kilometres and it commences in Southwest part of the country and crosses all the way to the Indian Ocean.

The upper Rufiji River is fed by numerous rivers encompassing Kilombero River, which allots 65% of water, Ruaha River that sprinkles in 15% of water, Luwegu River with 19% and the remaining 1% comes from small rivers.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

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