President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to officially launch the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) on August 22, marking a major milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to expand electricity supply and strengthen the foundation for industrial and economic growth.
The launch will take place at the project site in Rufiji, Coast Region, and is expected to bring together government leaders, local and international guests, citizens and development partners.
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said the project represents one of Tanzania’s biggest investments in electricity generation, financed entirely through domestic government resources.
“This is a historic event and an important step in Tanzania’s journey towards building a reliable energy system while supporting production, investment and economic growth,” Mr Ndejembi said on August 15 in Dar es Salaam.
The project, which has an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts (MW), cost approximately TZS 7.452 trillion, equivalent to about $3.35 billion, according to the minister.
Power supply boost
The minister said JNHPP has already emerged as a critical source of electricity for Tanzania’s national grid.
As of May 31, 2026, the plant had generated about 44.9 percent of all electricity fed into the national grid during the preceding year, meaning the facility was contributing close to half of the electricity entering the grid.
The increased generation capacity is expected to ease pressure on the national power system and reduce the shortages that have previously resulted in electricity rationing.
For households, businesses and industries, the project is therefore expected to have a direct bearing on the reliability of electricity supply, while also creating room for increased economic activity.
Beyond electricity
However, the government says the value of JNHPP goes beyond power generation.
The project is also intended to support flood control along the Rufiji River, irrigation, tourism and water supply, potentially creating wider benefits for communities and economic activities in the Rufiji basin.
Construction began in June 2019 and was completed in March 2025. The dam has a storage capacity of about 33 billion cubic metres of water, approximately 10 times the capacity of Mtera Dam.
The reservoir is among Tanzania’s largest artificial water bodies, while the hydropower station ranks among the largest hydropower facilities in Africa.
The government has positioned JNHPP as a key component of its strategy to increase electricity generation and strengthen the national grid as demand for power rises.
Mr Ndejembi said the investment is aligned with the objectives of Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050, particularly the ambition to create a reliable energy system capable of supporting industrialisation, investment and faster economic growth.
For ordinary citizens, the project’s ultimate test will be whether its expanded generation capacity translates into more reliable electricity, fewer disruptions and greater opportunities for businesses and industries to grow.
The minister urged Tanzanians to follow the August 22 launch through television, radio and digital platforms, describing the event as an important national milestone in Tanzania’s energy development.
The government’s challenge now will be to ensure that the benefits of the investment extend beyond the power plant itself, including improved reliability of electricity supply and stronger opportunities for productive sectors and communities across the country.
