The Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Judith Kapinga, has announced a new government initiative to extend electricity to underserved rural areas.
The project will involve constructing medium- and low-voltage power distribution lines and installing transformers tailored to village size.
Hon. Kapinga shared this information on October 31, 2024, in Dodoma, while responding to a parliamentary question from Hon. George Mwanisongole, Member of Parliament for Mbozi. Hon. Mwanisongole had inquired about government efforts to deliver sufficient electricity to villages that currently lack access, a gap that has hindered their inclusion in national development plans.
"This new project, set to start in December 2024, will feature enhanced support with 50, 100, and 200 kVA transformers, selected based on each village's specific needs," stated Hon. Kapinga.
She added that the villages not covered by the previous project, which targeted 15 villages per constituency, will be prioritized in the December rollout.
In response to an additional question from Hon. Jesca Msambatavangu, the Member of Parliament for Iringa Urban, regarding when the government would fulfill its commitment to provide electricity to semi-urban areas with village characteristics—such as Ugele, Mosi, Cargrielo, Machinjio, Ulonge, Mtalagala, and Msisina—Hon. Kapinga confirmed that the government remains committed to reaching rural and semi-urban communities.
She also noted that Cargrielo and Machinjio in Iringa Urban Constituency will receive electricity through TANESCO’s ongoing infrastructure extension projects, which are designed to increase electricity access for local residents.