By Alfred Zacharia Tanzanian government, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), is expecting to sign contracts worth TZS50.98 billion to promote clean cooking energy.
Eng. Advera Mwijage, Director of Renewable and Alternative Energy Technologies at REA, shared the details in Dodoma, outlining that the projects align with the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy 2024-2034, which aims for 80% of Tanzanians to use clean cooking energy by 2034.
REA will partner with the Tanzania Prisons Service (TPS) and the National Service (JKT) whereby the TPS contract, valued at 35.23 billion shillings, involves building biogas systems, installing LPG systems, and distributing gas cylinders to prison staff.
"REA will provide 26.57 billion shillings, while the TPS will contribute 8.66 billion shillings," Mwijage said.
This project will also include 61 biomass briquette machines, training for 280 prison staff, and distributing 977 improved stoves that use biogas, LPG, or biomass briquettes.
For JKT, contracts worth 5.75 billion shillings will fund biogas plants, improved stoves using biomass (coal and sawdust), and LPG cooking systems.
These funds will support 22 JKT camps over the next two years.
Additionally, REA will offer subsidies for 6 kg LPG cylinders. The companies selected to distribute these cylinders are Taifa Gas, Manjis, Oryx, and Lake Oil.
"We will distribute 452,445 cylinders at subsidized prices across mainland Tanzania, with each district receiving 3,255 cylinders," Mwijage added.
These efforts are part of the government's strategy to enhance cooking methods and reduce reliance on harmful fuels.
