The broader project will provide solar power to seven regions, 16 districts, 43 wards, and 118 islands across Tanzania at a total cost of Sh 8 billion. Photo: Courtesy
By The Respondent reporter
The government is committed to ensuring reliable electricity reaches every corner of the country, whether generated through water, wind, or solar energy.
As part of this initiative, the Rural Energy Agency (Rea) is allocating Sh 2.1 billion to deliver solar power to islands in Lake Victoria, specifically in Bukoba and Muleba districts of Kagera Region. This project is designed to ensure that residents in remote areas can access electricity without obstacles.
President Samia’s administration is determined to bring power to islands not yet connected to the national grid. The government will subsidize 55% to 75% of the costs, depending on the scale of services provided to residents and businesses on the islands.
On Musira Island, where the system has already been installed, 192 households are expected to benefit, with 50 homes already connected. Public facilities such as schools and places of worship are also operational under the solar power system.
The broader project will provide solar power to seven regions, 16 districts, 43 wards, and 118 islands across Tanzania at a total cost of Sh 8 billion. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to equitable energy access and national development.
The Kagera Region is not connected to the grid, 3 out of 6 districts import power from neighboring Uganda and the rest depend on diesel generators which are very expensive with attendant polluting effects.
The government of Tanzania has stated that the Kagera River Waterfall Power Generating Project, which is being implemented in Rusumo, Ngara district, has cross-cutting benefits for Tanzanians.
On September 28, 2020, the Government Team from Tanzania who is overseeing the Project including the Directors of the Board and the Technical Committee, during a working visit aimed at inspecting various social projects implemented through the respective Project.
Speaking after the visit, the Team Leader, Engineer Innocent Luoga who is a Board Member of the relevant Committee, said apart from electricity, the project will benefit Tanzanians through various social projects which he said are in good stages of implementation.
Engineer Luoga who is also the Assistant Commissioner for Electricity from the Ministry of Energy explained that social projects being implemented include those related to health, education, water, livestock, and agriculture sectors.
Commenting on the Government's goal to visit the ongoing community projects, Engineer Luoga said it was to see the progress made in its implementation, identify the challenges, and find solutions to enable the projects to be completed on time.
"We have visited primary and secondary schools, clinics, health centers, and water projects which are all being implemented here in Ngara and we are satisfied that for the most part, it has reached a good stage and some of it has been completed."
