By Charles Mkoka
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania is stepping into a new
era of energy security — a shift that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, says is already reshaping lives across the country.
During a hands-on tour of the
Kinyerezi I, Kinyerezi I Extension, and Kinyerezi II gas-powered electricity
plants, Dr. Biteko didn’t just speak in numbers — he reflected on a journey
many Tanzanians have felt in their everyday lives.
Today, July 10, 2025, he shared
what felt more like a lived testimony than a press statement: the lights are
staying on, and the nation is moving forward.
“We’ve come through times where
electricity was not a guarantee,” he said, standing amid humming turbines and
heat waves of progress. “But we stayed the course — and now we’re seeing the
results.”
At the heart of this
transformation is the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which alone is
injecting over 2,100 megawatts into the national grid. That’s not just
technical capacity — it’s power reaching homes in the hills of Mbeya, startups
in Dar’s buzzing outskirts, and health centers in remote corners that once
depended on diesel generators.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s words
carried the weight of someone who has witnessed, over the years, the
frustration of flickering lights and the impact of unreliable power on
businesses, schools, and everyday routines. It’s that history that makes this
moment meaningful.
And while infrastructure has been
the headline, people have been the story. Dr. Biteko was quick to highlight the
progress Tanesco has made in how it serves the public. “I’ve seen it myself,”
he noted. “The response times have improved. The customer call center now
operates around the clock, and it’s free. That’s not just about systems —
that’s about dignity.”
He also made a stop at the
Kinyerezi Natural Gas Receiving Station, where he inspected the backbone of the
country’s gas-to-power pipeline and called for greater investment in domestic
gas production. “Demand is growing, and we need to grow with it,” he said.
“This energy shift isn’t a one-time win — it’s a commitment we have to
sustain.”
The visit wasn’t just technical —
it felt personal for many. Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo, speaking
on behalf of the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, thanked Dr. Biteko for
bringing the conversation to ground level.
“You’re not just speaking from
offices — you’re here, where the power is being made,” he said. “And that makes
a difference to how people see leadership.”
Tanesco Managing Director Lazaro
Twange added that the visit has boosted morale among staff, who often work
behind the scenes. “It’s not just about infrastructure,” he said. “It’s about
the teams who wake up before dawn, troubleshoot in the rain, and make sure the
system runs. This shows them that their work matters.”
Joined by Permanent Secretary Eng. Felchesmi Mramba and other senior officials, Dr. Biteko’s visit was more than a tour — it was a statement: Tanzania’s energy future is no longer a distant ambition. It’s unfolding now — quietly, steadily, and with power that reaches beyond wires and switches into the lives of everyday citizens.