Tanzania is investing TZS 556 billion in the construction of the 400kV Chalinze–Dodoma power transmission line, underscoring the scale and strategic importance of the project to the country’s long-term energy reliability.
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said on Thursday that the project funded entirely through domestic resources demonstrates the government’s growing ability to finance major infrastructure without external borrowing.
He noted that the investment marks a deliberate shift toward reinforcing the national grid to ensure stable and efficient power delivery.
Mr Ndejembi said the size of the investment requires strict adherence to timelines and construction standards, directing the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to strengthen supervision at every stage.
He ordered the utility to submit a revised work plan with clear milestones to prevent delays, emphasising that slow progress could undermine returns on such a substantial domestic expenditure.
He added that President Samia Suluhu Hassan continues to prioritise universal access to reliable electricity, and the new line forms part of broader national efforts to expand and stabilise power supply across all regions.
TANESCO Managing Director Lazaro Twange said Tanzania’s power generation capacity is now sufficient, and the sector’s primary challenge has shifted from production to transmission.
His remarks reflect a structural transition in the energy sector, following years of investment in generation projects such as the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.
Mr Twange said major substations in Chalinze and Dodoma are already complete and will serve as critical nodes for system stability.
The Dodoma substation, in particular, plays a central role in integrating electricity from various regions and linking Tanzania to the Kenya interconnection.
According to TANESCO, the new Chalinze–Dodoma line will significantly strengthen the national grid, improve reliability, and support Tanzania’s long-term economic and industrial ambitions by ensuring that power generated across the country reaches consumers and investors efficiently.