How REA and stakeholders back the clean energy campaign

By Richard Mrusha, Geita

The Respondent Online

The Rural Energy Agency (REA), in partnership with various stakeholders in clean energy technology, is rallying behind President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure that by 2034, 80% of Tanzanians will utilize clean cooking energy.

On May 8, 2024, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a strategy aimed at promoting the use of clean cooking energy at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam. During the launch, she provided directives to facilitate the achievement of this goal, which has been in motion since November 2022.

Speaking to reporters at the seventh Mineral Technology Exhibition held at the Bomba Mbili grounds in Geita, Acting Technical Assistance Manager for Project Development at REA, Engineer Emmanuel Yesaya, expressed their commitment to the campaign slogan, "Using Appropriate Technology and Clean Energy in the Mining Sector for Sustainable Development." 

He emphasized their support for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s initiative, anticipating her attendance at the exhibition to share information and various opportunities that REA is implementing to support both the mining sector and the adoption of clean energy.

Engineer Yesaya highlighted that REA has introduced six-kilogram (6kg) LPG stoves sold at a subsidized price of 50% to promote clean cooking energy. 

The initiative aims to make these stoves more affordable for Tanzanians.

He explained that these stoves, usually priced at thirty-five thousand shillings (35,000), are available at the REA booth during the exhibition for just seventeen thousand five hundred shillings (17,500) to individuals who present their National Identification card (NIDA).

"The requirement for buyers to present their ID is intended to help register their information, ensuring that Tanzanians can access gas stoves for clean cooking energy," Engineer Yesaya noted.

Additionally, he called upon residents of Geita Region, neighboring areas, and the general public to participate actively in the exhibition and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the subsidized clean energy stoves.

"By participating, we support our President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her campaign to achieve the goal of 80% of Tanzanians using clean cooking energy by 2034," Engineer Yesaya concluded.