By Alfred Zacharia
The Electrical Transmission and Distribution, Construction and Maintenance Company Limited (ETDCO) has completed the construction of a 132-kilovolt power transmission line from Ipole in Tabora Region to Inyonga in Katavi Region.
The 133-kilometre line, now energized, connects Katavi to the national electricity grid for the first time since the region was established.
This development marks a major step toward improving energy access and boosting economic activities in one of Tanzania’s previously underserved regions.
Officials say the completion of the line signals government commitment to ensuring reliable and clean energy reaches all corners of the country.
Speaking during the energization ceremony at the Inyonga substation in Mlele District, ETDCO’s Acting General Manager CPA Sadock Mugendi said the project is now fully complete.
“We are proud to announce that the construction of the transmission line has been completed 100 percent,” he said. “We thank the government and the Ministry of Energy through TANESCO for trusting ETDCO to implement this strategic project.”
The line, which runs through remote areas, is expected to transform the lives of thousands of residents in Mlele and surrounding locations.
It brings the possibility of reliable power supply to communities that have long depended on generators and solar systems.
TANESCO Project Engineer Eng. Dalali Lunyamila said the Inyonga substation has a receiving capacity of 12 megawatts.
“Currently, the power demand for Mlele District stands at around 4 megawatts, meaning there is an extra 8 megawatts to support future growth,” he said.
He explained that residents in areas like Majimoto will now receive power directly from the national grid for the first time.
“This will bring economic changes. Businesses will run more smoothly, and social services like health and education will also benefit,” he added.
The new line is not only an energy project but a path to economic development.
The connection to the grid is expected to lower electricity costs for households and small businesses, increase job opportunities, and attract investors to the region.
ETDCO’s Acting Director of Technical Services Eng. Dismas Massawe said the line will go through a 48-hour observation period before it becomes fully operational.
“This is a necessary step to ensure stability and safety before people start using the power,” he said.
The power project is part of a wider national agenda to increase access to clean and safe electricity.
For years, Katavi had remained outside the national grid. Connecting it now is expected to drive development while reducing dependence on diesel-powered sources that are expensive and harmful to the environment.
The government has committed to extending the grid to all regions as part of its energy roadmap. With this new line, Katavi joins the growing list of areas benefiting from the country’s investments in reliable infrastructure.