|
Solution to energy problems requires effective plans
2008-04-29 18:46:00
By Lydia Shekighenda
The government has said that effective plans were necessary to solve problems facing the energy sector to prevent serious setbacks in the nation`s social-economic development.
Officiating at a workshop on Power System Master Plan (PSMP) in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Energy and Minerals Minister William Ngeleja said electricity self-sufficiency requires long-range planning to cope with the growing power demand.
He said the problems include inadequate electricity infrastructure, limited capacity of transmission lines supplying the north western part of the country; and lack of supply diversity in which hydro is the dominant power source.
``The transmission line is overloaded by 10 per cent and the rate will increase to 33.7 per cent next year,`` said Ngeleja.
Other problems, Ngeleja said, include insufficient generation capacity to supply electricity to more customers.
``Without effective plans to deal with these problems, and given continued growth in national electricity demand estimated at between 10 to 15 per cent during the next five years, the situation may lead the country into serious social and economic problems,`` he warned.
The Minister said PSMP provides a blueprint for what is needed in terms of supply and transmission infrastructure to serve Tanzania`s electricity consumers for the next 25 years.``PSMP provides the basis for immediate decisions to develop electricity systems.
It presents options for medium term and preserve opportunities for the longer term,`` he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Arthur Mwakapugi, said during the ocassion that PSMP is a comprehensive document that highlights short and long term electricity power needs in the country; and plans to meet such power demands using supply option available in the country.
Mwakapugi said PSMP 25 years plan will be revisited and updated regularly to adapt to new knowledge, opportunities, challenges and technologies.
Presenting the PSMP interim report, a consultant from SNC Lavalin International, Raymond Noel, said base forecast suggest that demand for power will increase to about 4,800MW in 2031; and that only 30 per cent of the population will have access to electricity.
|
