Minister for Energy and Minerals Prof Sospeter Muhongo

The government has repeatedly stated that there will be no power shedding, insisting that all precautionary measures have been taken to curb looming electricity shortage.

Prof Sospeter Muhongo, the minister for Energy and Minerals said when presenting the ministry’s estimates in Parliament on Friday that until last month emergency power generation had reached 422 megawatts out of 572 MW that the House approved last July.

Since the shortage of power fed into the national grid by July last year stood at 260 MW to 300 megawatts, the increase of 422 MW resolved the problem by more than 100 per cent, the minister affirmed.

Symbion generates 137 MW, Aggreko 100 MW, Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) 80 MW and Ubungo gas power plant II 105 MW, he said.

Failure by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to install its 150 MW plant that was estimated to cost $162 million (Sh 259.20 billion) has contributed to Tanesco’s failure to generate 572 megawatts on emergency basis as approved midlast year by Parliament, he further stated.

“Due to this state of power generation, power rationing is not possible and is not acceptable,’’ he categorically asserted, noting that current power generation peak stands at 820 MW against 730 MW maximum a year earlier.

Speaking on implementation of Stiegler’s Gorge project for the generation of 2,100 megawatts Prof Muhongo said in April this year the government held talks with the Brazilian government in which it was agreed that it sends a private investor to start reviewing the project, including carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Since the project would be implemented under the supervision of the Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA) other parallel activities that would be undertaken include irrigation farming, fishing, tourism and supply of water to Dar es Salaam city and its environs.

According to Minister Prof Muhongo, the project is expected to cost $ 1.9 billion (Sh 3.04 trillion).

Speaking on uranium projects, the minister said the mineral is available on Mkuju River in Liwale, Namtumbo and Tunduru districts, Bahi Basin in Bahi district, Manyoni in Singida region and Gallapo and Minjingu on Rift Valley.

However, only Namtumbo and Manyoni districts have been confirmed to have enough deposits to attract major investors.

In Namtumbo district, Mantra Tanzania Limited has been earmarked as potential investor. The area has 101.4 million tons of deposits of uranium. The initial investment level at the site is approximately Sh 720 billion, he added.