The Tanzanian government has allocated Tshs. 8 billion for the construction of the Imalilo electricity substation in Simiyu region, a project aimed at improving power reliability in Bariadi district.
The Managing Director of TANESCO, Lazaro Twange, inspected the project on Feb. 21 as part of a broader review of ongoing electricity infrastructure developments in the region.
The project includes the construction of the Imalilo power receiving and distribution substation and a 220-kilovolt transmission line linking Shinyanga to Simiyu.
Speaking after the inspection, Twange said construction of the Imalilo substation began in October 2025 using the utility’s in-house engineers and is scheduled for completion in May 2026.
“For a long time this project was pending, but we commenced implementation in October 2025 through our internal experts, and we expect it to be completed by May 2026,” Twange said.
He noted that residents of Bariadi currently depend on electricity supplied from the neighbouring regions of Shinyanga, Mwanza, and Mara, a situation that has affected power quality due to long transmission distances.
Completion of the Imalilo substation is expected to strengthen grid infrastructure and ensure a stable power supply to Bariadi from June 2026.
Project implementation has reached 20.75%, according to TANESCO. The first phase is being fully financed by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Officials said the investment underscores the government’s commitment to expanding and modernising electricity infrastructure to support regional economic growth.