The Managing Director of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), Mr. Gissima Nyamo-Hanga, has underscored the importance of integrating Tanzania and Kenya’s power grids to enhance electricity supply and bolster energy security in the northeastern African region.
During a visit to the Lemuguru power substation in Arusha, Mr. Nyamo-Hanga called on technical teams overseeing the integration process to execute the task meticulously, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Tanzania’s national grid.
Mr. Nyamo-Hanga highlighted the strategic importance of the Lemuguru substation, which serves as a vital link connecting Tanzania’s national grid to the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
This regional network comprises 13 member countries, aiming to enhance energy cooperation and supply reliability across East Africa.
In addition to its northeastern connections, Tanzania is advancing a project to integrate its grid with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), further solidifying the nation’s role as a regional energy hub.
Explaining the benefits of regional electricity trade, Mr. Nyamo-Hanga noted that Tanzania’s participation in the EAPP and SAPP trading platforms would create lucrative opportunities to sell surplus electricity.
This is particularly significant given the government’s substantial investments in energy generation and transmission projects.
“Through these regional power pools, Tanzania will benefit from electricity sales, capitalizing on the extensive investments the government has made in energy infrastructure,” he stated.
The visit to the Lemuguru substation is part of TANESCO management’s ongoing inspections of key infrastructure projects.
Earlier, the team visited the landmark Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), which is set to significantly increase Tanzania’s electricity generation capacity.
These initiatives align with Tanzania’s broader goals of enhancing energy security, fostering economic growth, and supporting regional integration through a reliable and sustainable power supply.
The integration of power grids with neighboring countries underscores Tanzania’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in regional energy markets while ensuring domestic energy needs are met effectively.