Tanzania is making steady progress toward its goal of generating 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by the end of the year. Currently, the national grid is producing 3,796.79 MW, showing significant advancement in meeting the country’s growing energy needs.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr. Gerson Msigwa, provided an update on this progress. He stated that the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP), which will generate 2,115 MW, is now 99.8% complete.

“The total cost of the JNHPP is 6.558tri/-, of which 6.230tri/-, representing 95.8 per cent has already been paid to the contractor,” Mr. Msigwa said.

e reported that eight turbines at JNHPP have already started working, adding 1,880 MW to the national grid. The last turbine is scheduled for trial runs on February 25 and March 10, aiming to complete the full 2,115 MW capacity and raise the national grid’s total generation to 4,000 MW.

Mr. Msigwa made these remarks at the JNHPP site, which is located between the Coast and Morogoro regions.

He further stated that the government’s initiatives align with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s 2020–2025 election manifesto, which pledged to increase power generation to 5,000 MW by 2025. The National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) (2021–2026) also aims to achieve this target.

FYDP III focuses on strengthening electricity supply by increasing generation capacity and improving transmission and distribution networks. Other efforts include expanding natural gas supply infrastructure for household, industrial, and transportation use. The plan also promotes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biogas, and geothermal while ensuring the sustainable management of oil and natural gas.

According to Mr. Msigwa, several power projects have already been completed, while others are ongoing. He highlighted the Chalinze substation, which is being built alongside the JNHPP and is 92% complete.

Another key project is the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project (RRFHP), which will generate 80 MW. Mr. Msigwa reported that the project is 99.7% complete, with Tanzania set to receive 27 MW, while Rwanda and Burundi will share the rest.

The Kinyerezi One Extension project, which is 97.6% complete, will contribute 160 MW to the national grid. Meanwhile, the Malagarasi Power Project, which will generate 49.5 MW, has secured contractors, and construction will begin in March. The project is expected to be completed by October 2027.

Mr. Msigwa also mentioned the Kakono Hydropower Plant, which has a capacity of 87 MW and is currently in the procurement stage. The project is estimated to cost 724bn/-. Additionally, work is ongoing on a 150 MW solar energy project in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region, which has reached 50% completion.

“The geothermal power generation project in Ngozi, Mbeya, which will produce 70 MW, is currently at the rock drilling stage to verify geothermal energy reserves, aiming to begin electricity production soon,” he said.

Mr. Msigwa also shared that the government is preparing to sell electricity to neighboring countries facing power shortages.

“A recent Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam discussed establishing a common market to facilitate electricity trade between countries. We are building power lines to neighbouring countries to enable this,” he said.

The construction of electricity transmission lines from Tanzania to neighboring countries, such as Zambia and Kenya, is progressing. A 624-kilometre transmission line from Tanzania to Zambia, with a capacity of 400 kilovolts (kV), is currently 34% complete. Tanzania has also connected to Kenya through the Legumul substation in Arusha, allowing electricity trade within the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).

Domestically, several projects are in progress to connect different regions to the national grid. One such project is a 32 kV transmission line from Tabora to Katavi via Ipole and Iyonga, which is 92% complete and has cost 164.64bn/-. Another major project involves a 220 kV electricity transmission line from Songea to Tunduru, covering 214 kilometres. The Tunduru substation, currently 51% complete, is expected to be finished by September.

“We are also constructing a 220 kV electricity transmission line from Songea to Tunduru. This is significant, as these areas have been relying on generators,” he explained.

To address electricity challenges, the government has launched the ‘Grid Imara’ project, a 4tri/- initiative aimed at upgrading electricity infrastructure. Mr. Msigwa also highlighted that in addition to energy development, the government continues to invest in other sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, to boost economic growth.